A Survey of Cerebrospinal Fluid Total Protein Upper Limits in Canada: Time for an Update?
Can J Neurol Sci
; 46(3): 283-286, 2019 05.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30915935
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The antiquated standard reference range of 0.15-0.45 g/L for cerebrospinal fluid total protein (CSF-TP) is well entrenched in medical literature and laboratory operating procedures across the world.METHODS:
We conducted a web-based survey with a response rate of 34.9% through the listserv of the Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation. Additional laboratory reference data were collated by telephone interview of hospital laboratory technologists across Canada.RESULTS:
A total of 142 site responses were obtained 64.1% from academic/tertiary hospitals and 35.9% from community hospitals. A strong majority (80.4%) of both types of institutions reported using a CSF-TP upper reference limit of 0.45 g/L or less. As a rule, no age adjustments were implemented in CSF-TP-level interpretation.CONCLUSIONS:
Recent well-powered laboratory reference studies have documented CSF-TP upper reference limits that are above 0.6 g/L starting at age 50, with incremental limits partitioned by subsequent decades of age. The conventional 0.45 g/L limit could lead to false positive results. Our survey suggests there is a need to consider a wide adoption of data-driven, rather than historical, reference values.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Laboratories, Hospital
/
Proteins
/
Cerebrospinal Fluid
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Can J Neurol Sci
Year:
2019
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Canada