Hematological Profile in the Saudi Population: Reference Intervals By Gender, Age and Regions

Background: Although the prevalence of genetic hematological disorders varies widely between geographical regions, region-specific hematological reference ranges have not been defined in Saudi Arabian adults. Methods: A multicenter retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted with 1127 participants who completed their pre-employment screening and recruitment process between January 2013 and December 2016. Data related to the demographic and hematological indices were extracted. Results: The mean age was 28.0±5.2 years (range 19.4-72.8 years) and gender was distributed equally (47.5% female vs. 52.5% male). The WBC reference range was 3.3-11.4 ×109/L; hemoglobin 111-174 gm/l; platelet 163-412 ×109/L; MCV 80-95.7 fl, and neutrophils 1.2-8.8 ×109/L. A robust regression model was used to evaluate the effect of the participant's characteristics on the hematological indices. Except for WBC, the rest of the hematological indices were significantly influenced by gender, region, and age. The 2.5 percentile hemoglobin values were 135 gm/L in males and 104 gm/L in females, while platelet values were 173 x109/L in females and 159 x109/L in males. Conclusion: The study defined local hematological reference ranges, which were mostly lower than reported in international studies used in our center. Hematological values were mainly influenced by gender and region. A community nationwide screening study is required to create reference ranges specifically for the Saudi population. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Maternal thyroid function test level during the first trimester of pregnancy at a center Yazd, Iran: A cross-sectional study

International Journal of Reproductive BioMedicine ◽

10.18502/ijrm.v19i3.8573 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Farahnaz Farzaneh ◽

Farzaneh Khastehfekr

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Hormones ◽

Thyroid Function ◽

First Trimester ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Reference Ranges ◽

Thyroid Function Tests ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

First Trimester Of Pregnancy

Background: Thyroid dysfunction is associated with negative pregnancy outcomes. There is a lack of reliable information on thyroid hormones in Iranian pregnant women, especially in Yazd. Objective: To determine the safe thyroid hormone levels in women of Yazd and also the first trimester-specific reference ranges for serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), thyroxine (T4), and triiodothyronine (T3). Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the serum of 1,148 women in the first trimester of pregnancy was analyzed. Thyroid function tests (TSH, T4, T3) were measured through radioimmunoassay (RIA) [immunoradiometric (IRMA) for TSH]. The study was conducted in Yazd, from September 2018 to November 2019. Reference intervals were defined as the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles. Results: The mean age of the participants was 28.78 (± 5.86 yr) (range: 15-45 yr). The thyroid hormones reference intervals in the first trimester were TSH (0.2-3.8 mIU/l), T4 (7.45-12.75, μg/dl), and T3 (100-217 ng/dl). Conclusion: The results of the present study determined a local thyroid function measurement in the first trimester of pregnancy at a center of Yazd, Iran. This could facilitate the decision-making of maternal TSH level during the first trimester of pregnancy. Key words: First pregnancy trimester, Thyrotropin, Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine.

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Comparative Study of Chemosensory Dysfunction in COVID-19 in 2 Geographically Distinct Regions

Ear Nose & Throat Journal ◽

10.1177/01455613211000170 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 014556132110001

Author(s):

Daniel J. Lee ◽

Daniella Daliyot ◽

Ri Wang ◽

Joel Lockwood ◽

Paul Das ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Comparative Study ◽

Symptom Onset ◽

Subgroup Analysis ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

The Self ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Specific Data ◽

Geographical Regions

Objective: To directly compare the prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction (smell and taste) in geographically distinct regions with the same questionnaires. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to evaluate the self-reported symptoms among adults (older than 18 years) who underwent COVID-19 testing at an ambulatory assessment center in Canada and at a hospital in Israel between March 16, 2020, and August 19, 2020. The primary outcome was the prevalence of self-reported chemosensory dysfunction (anosmia/hypomsia and dysgeusia/ageusia). Subgroup analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence of chemosensory deficits among the outpatients. Results: We identified a total of 350 COVID-19–positive patients (138 Canadians and 212 Israelis). The overall prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction was 47.1%. There was a higher proportion of chemosensory deficits among Canadians compared to Israelis (66.7% vs 34.4%, P < .01). A subgroup analysis for outpatients (never hospitalized) still identified a higher prevalence of chemosensory dysfunction among Canadians compared to Israelis (68.2% vs 36.1%, P < 0.01). A majority of patients recovered their sense of smell after 4 weeks of symptom onset. Conclusion: Although the prevalence of chemosensory deficit in COVID-19 was found to be similar to previously published reports, the prevalence can vary significantly across different geographical regions. Therefore, it is important to obtain regionally specific data so that the symptom of anosmia/dysgeusia can be used as a guide for screening for the clinical diagnosis of COVID-19.

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Reference intervals of spinal mobility measures in normal individuals: the mobility study

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2013-204953 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 74 (6) ◽

pp. 1218-1224 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Sofia Ramiro ◽

Astrid van Tubergen ◽

Carmen Stolwijk ◽

Désirée van der Heijde ◽

Patrick Royston ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Axial Spondyloarthritis ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Spinal Mobility ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Percentile Curves ◽

Normal Individuals ◽

And Gender ◽

Gender Specific ◽

Spinal Flexion

ObjectivesTo establish reference intervals (RIs) for spinal mobility measures as recommended for patients with axial spondyloarthritis, and to determine the effect of age, height and gender on spinal mobility, in normal individuals.MethodsA cross-sectional study (MOBILITY) was conducted among normal individuals aged 20–69 years. Recruitment was stratified by gender, age (10-year categories) and height (10 cm categories). Eleven spinal mobility measures were assessed. Age specific RIs and percentiles were derived for each measure.Results393 volunteers were included. All spinal mobility measures decreased with increasing age. Therefore, age specific RIs were developed. The 95% RIs (2.5th and 97.5th percentiles), as well as the 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentiles for each spinal mobility measure and different ages are presented. Mobility percentile curves were also plotted for each of the measures. For instance, the 95% RI for lateral spinal flexion was 16.2–28.0 cm for a 25-year-old subject, 13.2–25.0 cm for a 45-year-old subject and 10.1–21.9 cm for a 65-year-old subject. After adjustment for age, there was no need for gender specific RIs, while RIs of some measures are height-adjusted.ConclusionsAge specific RIs and percentiles were derived for each of the spinal mobility measures for normal individuals. These may guide clinicians when assessing the mobility of patients with axial spondyloarthritis. The RIs may serve as cut-off levels for ‘normal’ versus ‘abnormal’, whereas the mobility percentile curves may be used to assess the level of mobility of patients with axial spondyloarthritis.

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Pediatric reference intervals in China (PRINCE): design and rationale for a large, multicenter collaborative cross-sectional study

Science Bulletin ◽

10.1016/j.scib.2018.11.024 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 63 (24) ◽

pp. 1626-1634 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Xin Ni ◽

Wenqi Song ◽

Xiaoxia Peng ◽

Ying Shen ◽

Yaguang Peng ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Collaborative Cross ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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A cross-sectional study of all clinicians’ conflict of interest disclosures to NHS hospital employers in England 2015-2016

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2017-019952 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. e019952 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Harriet Ruth Feldman ◽

Nicholas J DeVito ◽

Jonathan Mendel ◽

David E Carroll ◽

Ben Goldacre

Keyword(s):

Conflict Of Interest ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Current System ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Freedom Of Information ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Gift ◽

The Uk

ObjectiveWe set out to document how NHS trusts in the UK record and share disclosures of conflict of interest by their employees.DesignCross-sectional study of responses to a Freedom of Information Act request for Gifts and Hospitality Registers.SettingNHS Trusts (secondary/tertiary care organisations) in England.Participants236 Trusts were contacted, of which 217 responded.Main outcome measuresWe assessed all disclosures for completeness and openness, scoring them for achieving each of five measures of transparency.Results185 Trusts (78%) provided a register. 71 Trusts did not respond within the 28 day time limit required by the FoIA. Most COI registers were incomplete by design, and did not contain the information necessary to assess conflicts of interest. 126/185 (68%) did not record the names of recipients. 47/185 (25%) did not record the cash value of the gift or hospitality. Only 31/185 registers (16%) contained the names of recipients, the names of donors, and the cash amounts received. 18/185 (10%) contained none of: recipient name, donor name, and cash amount. Only 15 Trusts had their disclosure register publicly available online (6%). We generated a transparency index assessing whether each Trust met the following criteria: responded on time; provided a register; had a register with fields identifying donor, recipient, and cash amount; provided a register in a format that allowed further analysis; and had their register publicly available online. Mean attainment was 1.9/5; no NHS trust met all five criteria.ConclusionOverall, recording of employees’ conflicts of interest by NHS trusts is poor. None of the NHS Trusts in England met all transparency criteria. 19 did not respond to our FoIA requests, 51 did not provide a Gifts and Hospitality Register and only 31 of the registers provided contained enough information to assess employees’ conflicts of interest. Despite obligations on healthcare professionals to disclose conflicts of interest, and on organisations to record these, the current system for logging and tracking such disclosures is not functioning adequately. We propose a simple national template for reporting conflicts of interest, modelled on the US ‘Sunshine Act’.

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Reference intervals for hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) in healthy Mexican pregnant women: a cross-sectional study

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth ◽

10.1186/s12884-018-2057-x ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cristina M. Sánchez-González ◽

Alfredo Castillo-Mora ◽

Itzel N. Alvarado-Maldonado ◽

Carlos Ortega-González ◽

Nayeli Martínez-Cruz ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Pregnant Women ◽

Hemoglobin A1c ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

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Reference Intervals of Thyroid Hormones and Correlation of BMI with Thyroid Function in Healthy Zhuang Ethnic Pregnant Women

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2018/2032413 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Yonghong Sheng ◽

Dongping Huang ◽

Shun Liu ◽

Xuefeng Guo ◽

Jiehua Chen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Hormones ◽

Pregnant Women ◽

Thyroid Function ◽

Reference Intervals ◽

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽

Specific Reference ◽

American Thyroid Association ◽

Reference Ranges ◽

Free Triiodothyronine ◽

Cross Sectional

Ethnic differences in the level of thyroid hormones exist among individuals. The American Thyroid Association (ATA) recommends that an institution or region should establish a specific thyroid hormone reference value for each stage of pregnancy. To date, a limited number of studies have reported the level of thyroid hormones in Chinese minorities, and the exact relationship between BMI and thyroid function in pregnant women is ill. This study was performed to establish trimester-specific reference ranges of thyroid hormones in Zhuang ethnic pregnant women and explore the role of body mass index (BMI) on thyroid function. A total of 3324 Zhuang ethnic health pregnant women were recruited in this Zhuang population-based retrospective cross-sectional study. The values of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), and free triiodothyronine (FT3) were determined by automatic chemiluminescence immunoassay analyzer. Multivariate linear regression and binary logistic regression were constructed to evaluate the influence of BMI on the thyroid function. The established reference intervals for the serum thyroid hormones in three trimesters were as follows: TSH, 0.02–3.28, 0.03–3.22, and 0.08-3.71 mIU/L; FT4, 10.57–19.76, 10.05–19.23, and 8.96–17.75 pmol/L; FT3, 3.51–5.64, 3.42–5.42, and 2.93–5.03 pmol/L. These values were markedly lower than those provided by the manufacturers for nonpregnant adults which can potentially result in 6.10% to 19.73% misclassification in Zhuang pregnant women. Moreover, BMI was positively correlated with isolated hypothyroxinemia (OR=1.081, 95% CI=1.007–1.161), while the correlation between the BMI and subclinical hypothyroidism was not statistically significant (OR=0.991, 95% CI=0.917–1.072). This is the first study focusing on the reference ranges of thyroid hormones in Guangxi Zhuang ethnic pregnant women, which will improve the care of them in the diagnosis and treatment. We also found that high BMI was positively associated with the risk of isolated hypothyroxinemia.

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Soil-transmitted helminthiasis among school-aged children in Myanmar: the result of 14 years after the implementation of deworming

International Journal of Community Medicine and Public Health ◽

10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20205671 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (1) ◽

pp. 9

Author(s):

Soe Min Oo ◽

Aung Tun ◽

Thi Thi Htoon ◽

Phyo Phyo Kyaw ◽

Win Lae Htut ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Coastal Region ◽

Hemoglobin Concentration ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Infection Prevalence ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

School Aged Children ◽

School Based ◽

Multi Stage ◽

Hilly Region ◽

Geographical Regions

Background: Soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections were the most common infections among school-aged children (SAC) in Myanmar. The routine school-based mass drug administration (MDA) with twice a year frequency has started in 2005.Methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence and intensity of STH infection among SAC as the follow-up study after 14 years of MDA. In August 2019, 1000 school-aged children attending Grades 4 and 5 from four geographical regions across the country were enrolled using a multi-stage sample random sampling. The anthropometry and hemoglobin concentration was measured, and stool specimens were detected parasite eggs using the Kato Katz technique.Results: The intensity of infection was classified according to WHO criteria. Infection prevalence was 17% for any STH infections, 10.4% for A. lumbricoides, 17% for T. trichiura, and 2% for the hookworm. All STH infections were virtually not detected in the hilly region. The highest prevalence of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura infection were seen in the coastal region. The hookworm was seen only in the plain region. The underweight prevalence was 9% and anemia prevalence was 38% while there were huge differences across regions. The finding showed that STH infections continued to be endemic among SAC throughout the country except for the hilly region after 14 years of MDA.Conclusions: The regular deworming program should be reduced to once a year frequency in Myanmar. Triple-dose regimens should be considered to eliminate the whipworms. The burden of anemia among SAC should also be addressed in cooperation with MDA.

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Basal level of luteinizing hormone as a key marker of the idiopathic central hypogonadism in women

Almanac of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.18786/2072-0505-2020-48-028 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 48 ◽

Author(s):

A. S. Loktionova ◽

I. A. Ilovayskaya

Keyword(s):

Luteinizing Hormone ◽

Diagnostic Criteria ◽

Roc Analysis ◽

Diagnostic Value ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reference Ranges ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Low Levels ◽

Diagnostic Criterion ◽

Fertile Women

Background: Central hypogonadism (CH) is a syndrome characterized by low levels of peripheral sex steroid hormones due to the lack of central (hypothalamic-pituitary) regulation of reproductive system. In females, CH clinically manifests by amenorrhea, anovulation, and infertility. The classical diagnostic criteria of CH in the absence of organic disease of hypothalamic-pituitary region (“idiopathic” CH) include low gonadotropin levels; however, their levels within the reference ranges do not exclude CH. Moreover, reference ranges for these parameters are different between laboratories. Thus, currently no clear laboratory diagnostic criteria for female CH are available.Aim: To determine the diagnostic value of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) basal levels for the confirmation of CH diagnosis in women and to identify cutoffs of basal gonadotropins levels, which can be considered as diagnostic criteria for female CH.Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study included 87 women: 49 with confirmed CH, aged 18 to 36 years (median, 24 [Q21; Q29]), and 38 healthy fertile women with regular menstrual cycles aged 21 to 45 years (median, 23 [Q23; Q28]). In all subjects, LH, FSH, estradiol, testosterone, prolactin, and free thyroxin levels were measured by chemiluminiscent immunoassay.Results: LH, FSH, estradiol, and prolactin levels in the CH patients were significantly lower than those in healthy subjects. The ROC analysis showed that LH level ≤ 1.95 ME/l indicated the central genesis of hypogonadism with sensitivity of 81.25% and specificity of 91.89%. Basal FSH level ≤ 5.075 ME/l had a 70.00% sensitivity and 77.14% specificity for CH diagnosis.Conclusion: Basal LH level ≤ 1.95 ME/l measured by chemiluminiscent immunoassay can be considered as an idiopathic CH diagnostic criterion in female with amenorrhea due to the hypoestrogenemia with sensitivity of > 80% and specificity > 90%.

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Pattern of Chemotherapy-Related Adverse Effects Among Adult Patients With Cancer Treated at Gondar University Referral Hospital, Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Journal of Global Oncology ◽

10.1200/jgo.18.70000 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement 1) ◽

pp. 15s-15s

Author(s):

Sewunet Admasu Belachew ◽

Daniel Asfaw Erku ◽

Abebe Basazn Mekuria ◽

Begashaw Melaku Gebresillassie

Keyword(s):

Health Care Professionals ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chemotherapeutic Agents ◽

Referral Hospital ◽

Categorical Variables ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Patients With Cancer

Abstract 32 Purpose Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are a global problem and constitute a major clinical problem in terms of human suffering. The high toxicity and narrow therapeutic index of chemotherapeutic agents makes oncology pharmacovigilance essential. The objective of the current study was to assess the pattern of ADRs that occur in patients with cancer who were treated with chemotherapy in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study over a 2-year period from September 2013 to August 2015 was conducted in patients with cancer who underwent chemotherapy at Gondar University Referral Hospital Oncology Center. Data were collected directly from patients and their medical case files. Reported ADRs were assessed for causality using the WHO causality assessment scale and Naranjo’s algorithm. Severities of the reported reactions were also assessed using National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 4.0). Pearson’s χ2 test was used to examine the association between two categorical variables. Results A total of 815 ADRs were identified from 203 patients who were included in the study. The most commonly occurring ADRs were nausea and vomiting (18.9%), infections (16.7%), neutropenia (14.7%), fever and/or chills (11.3%), and anemia (9.3%). Platinum compounds (31.4%) were the most common group of drugs that caused ADRs. Of reported ADRs, 65.8% were grades 3 to 4 (severe level), 29.9% were grades 1 to 2 (mild level), and 4.3% were grade 5 (toxic level). Significant association was found between age, number of chemotherapeutic agents, and dose of chemotherapy with the occurrence of grades 3 to 5 toxicity. Conclusion The high incidence of chemotherapy-related ADRs among patients with cancer is of concern. Establishing an effective ADR monitoring and reporting system—oncopharmacovigilance—and creating awareness among health care professionals of the importance of ADR reporting may help prevent the problem. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors.

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