[Determination of reference ranges for coagulation tests in Mexican-mestizo population].

BACKGROUND

It is necessary to establish biological parameters for each population.

OBJECTIVE

To establish reference values for prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and fibrinogen in healthy population and to determine intra- and inter-assay concordance.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study that included 204 women and 202 men from the Blood Donor service. Coagulation tests were carried out in order to obtain reference ranges. All procedures were made according to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines.

RESULTS

Mean PT, PTT and fibrinogen were 14.1 s, 28.8 s and 381 mg/dL in men, and 15.1 s, 29.0 s and 381 mg/dL in women. The proposed PT, PTT and fibrinogen reference ranges for men were 12.7 to 16.3 s, 24.2 to 36.3 s and 239 to 276 mg/dL, respectively; for women, 12.7 to 16.6 s, 23.5 to 35.4 s and 276 to 598 mg/dL. The latter was statistically significant (p ≤ 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Reference values for blood coagulation tests were determined. This is of great importance for fast medical diagnosis and treatment. The results from this study can be adopted by other clinic laboratories after appropriate validation procedures.