Baseline serum tryptase levels increase within normal values with age and depend on gender

Abstract

Background: Basalserum tryptase is a weil established marker in anaphylaxis and mast-cel/ related diseases andregarded as risk factor for more severe anaphylactic reactions, especially to Hymenoptera venom. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine whether serum trpytase concentrations depend on age or gender in healthy patients. Material and methods: Basalserum levels of 3648 patients were retrospectively analysed. Patients had their blood examination done due to past systemic anaphylactic reaction but with at least an one month interval after such an event. Serum values were determined by a commercially available ELISA kit (FluoroEnzymelmmunoAssay lmmunoCAP®, Phadia AB, Uppsala, Sweden). Patients with elevated serum tryptase levels and!or mastocytosis above the value defined as normal (of?. 7 7.4 μg!I) were analysed separately. Results: Overall patients (mean age 42.3 years, range 5-79 year; 7 980 females/ 58.51 %), a mean value for serum tryptase of 6.38 μg!I was found. 3384 out of 3648 patients (92.76 %) showed normal tryptase values < 7 7.4 μg!I (mean 4.24 μg/I.) In this subgroup (Group C) a significant increase of mean serum tryptase within normal ranges according to age was found (p < 0.00 7 ). Looking at sex-dependent differences values in Group C, in men higher mean tryptase values (4.48 μg/I} than in women 4.07 μg!I (p < 0.00 7) were observed. Conclusions : Age and gender should be considered when analysing serum tryptase levels ; older patients tend to have higher mean levels within normal ranges of basal serum tryptase. In our collective also males tend to have higher basal levels than female patients. Abbreviations : Basalserum tryptase BST