Reference Values For Adults Research Articles

Reference values for accelerometer metrics and associations with cardiorespiratory fitness: a prospective cohort study of healthy adults and patients with heart failure

Reference values for accelerometer metrics and associations with cardiorespiratory fitness: a prospective cohort study of healthy adults and patients with heart failure

Gait Speed Reference Values for Adults Aged 90 and Older: The 90+ Study.

Slow gait speed has been associated with adverse outcomes in older adults, but little data exist for those 90 years and older, a group often referred to as the "oldest old." We aimed to establish reference values for gait speed in men and women 90 years and older. The 90+ Study is a population-based longitudinal study of aging. Our analyses of gait speed included participants who were evaluated in person and were ambulatory. Gait speed was assessed using the 4-m walk test. We calculated means, standard deviations, and percentiles stratified by age, sex, and use of assistive device. The 797 participants had a mean age of 93.5 years. Of these, 73.9% were women, 39.5% had a college education, and 98.6% were White. The overall mean gait speed was 0.58 m/s (women = 0.55 m/s, men = 0.65 m/s). In participants who did not use an assistive device, the overall mean gait speed was 0.66 m/s (women = 0.63 m/s, men = 0.71 m/s). In those who used a device, the overall mean gait speed was 0.38 m/s (women = 0.37 m/s, men = 0.43 m/s). Gait speed decreased with increasing age. Men had consistently higher average gait speeds compared with women across age categories. Men and women who used assistive devices had lower average gait speeds across age categories compared with men and women who ambulated with no device. Average gait speeds in our oldest-old cohort were slower than those of older adults younger than 90 years in previous studies. This study is the first to establish gait speed reference values specific to adults 90 years and older. Age-appropriate reference values are crucial to the accurate interpretation of clinical measures for patients in their 90s and above.

Young athlete’s growing heart: sex differences in cardiac adaptation to exercise training during adolescence

BackgroundAthlete’s heart is a condition of exercise-induced cardiac remodelling. Adult male endurance athletes more often remodel beyond reference values. The impact of sex on remodelling through adolescence remains unclear. Paediatric...

Diagnostic yield of cardiac magnetic resonance in athletes with and without features of the athlete's heart and suspected structural heart disease

Abstract Background Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a second-line imaging test in cardiology. Balanced enlargement of heart chambers called athlete's heart (AH) is a part of physiological adaptation to regular physical activity. Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of CMR in athletes with suspected structural heart disease (SHD) and to analyse the relation between the presences of AH and SHD. Methods This retrospective, single centre study included consecutive 154 athletes (57 non-amateur, all sports categories, 87% male, mean age 34±12 years) referred for CMR because of suspected SHD. The suspicion was based on existing guidelines including electrocardiographic and/or echocardiographic changes suggestive of abnormality but without a formal diagnosis. AH was defined as a balanced enlargement of most heart chambers above the reference values in adults with or without mild left ventricular hypertrophy. Results CMR permitted to establish a new diagnosis in 66 patients (42%). The main diagnoses included myocardial fibrosis typical for prior myocarditis (n=21), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (n=17, including 6 apical forms), other cardiomyopathies (n=10) and prior myocardial infarction (n=6). The presence of pathologic LGE was found in 41 patients (27%) and was non-significantly higher in athletes without AH (32% vs. 19%, p=0.08). Junction-point LGE was more prevalent in patients with AH phenotype (22% vs. 9%, p=0.02). Patients without AH tended to be more likely diagnosed with an SHD than those with AH (49% vs. 32%, p=0.05). This was mainly caused by a trend towards a higher prevalence of non-apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and prior myocardial infarction in this group. Conclusions The inclusion of CMR into the diagnostic process leads to a new diagnosis in many athletes with suspicion of SHD and equivocal routine tests. Athletes with AH pattern are equally likely to be diagnosed with SHD in comparison to those without AH phenotype. It shows that the development of AH and SHD can occur in parallel, which makes differential diagnosis in this group of patients more challenging. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Diurnal salivary androstenedione and 17-hydroxyprogesterone levels in healthy volunteers for monitoring treatment efficacy of patients with congenital adrenal hyperplasia.

ObjectiveTreatment of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) patients with glucocorticoids is often challenging since there is a delicate balance between over‐ and undertreatment. Treatment can be monitored noninvasively by measuring salivary androstenedione (A4) and 17‐hydroxyprogesterone (17‐OHP). Optimal treatment monitoring requires the establishment of reference values in saliva.DesignA descriptive study.PatientsFor this study saliva of 255 healthy paediatric and adult volunteers with an age range of 4–75 years old was used.MeasurementsWe developed a sensitive liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry method, assessed salivary A4 and 17‐OHP stability, and measured A4 and 17‐OHP concentrations in saliva collected in the morning, afternoon, and evening.ResultsWe quantified A4 and 17‐OHP concentrations in the morning, afternoon, and evening and demonstrated that there is a significant rhythm with the highest levels in the morning and decreasing levels over the day. A4 and 17‐OHP concentrations display an age‐dependent pattern. These steroids remain stable in saliva at ambient temperature for up to 5 days.ConclusionsGood stability of the steroids in saliva enables saliva collection by the patient at home. Since salivary A4 and 17‐OHP display a diurnal rhythm and age‐dependent pattern, we established reference values for both children and adults at three time points during the day. These reference values support treatment monitoring of children and adults with CAH.

Gait speed reference values in community-dwelling older adults - Cross-sectional analysis from the Rotterdam Study.

Gait speed is a simple, inexpensive and clinically useful marker of physical function in older adults. We aimed to establish gait speed reference values for community-dwelling older adults. To this end, we further explored the association of age, sex and height with gait speed. This study included community-dwelling participants aged 50years and over enrolled in the Rotterdam Study. Participants completed the gait protocol between 2009 and 2016. The mean gait speed was calculated for age and height groups, stratified by sex. Reference values for gait speed were calculated using a quantile regression model adjusted for sex, the non-linear effects of age and height, as well as the interaction between age and sex plus the interaction between age and height. The study population included 4656 Dutch participants with a mean (standard deviation) age of 67.7 (9.5) years, comprising 2569 (55.2%) women. The mean height of the participants was 1.69 (0.10) meters and the mean gait speed was 1.20 (0.20) m/s. Gait speed was lower with older age and greater with taller stature, but the effect of height disappeared above the age of 80years. Sex did not affect gait speed after accounting for age and height. Age-, sex-, and height-specific reference values for gait speed are available for use at https://emcbiostatistics.shinyapps.io/GaitSpeedReferenceValues/. We found that height explains the commonly noted difference in usual gait speed between sexes and that neither height nor sex impacts gait speed in the very oldest adults. We developed reference values for usual gait speed in Western European community-dwelling older adults.

Reference values for left ventricular dimensions, systolic and diastolic function: a study from the Amazon Basin of Brazil.

Country- and ethnicity-specific reference values for echocardiographic parameters are necessary for decision making. No prior studies have examined reference values in adults from the Amazon Basin of Brazil. We performed echocardiographic examinations in 290 healthy adults (mean age 37 ± 14 years, 40% male) from the Brazilian Amazon. Left ventricular (LV) dimensions and volumes were obtained and indexed to body surface area. We also assessed systolic (LV ejection fraction [LVEF] and global longitudinal strain [GLS]) and diastolic function. LV dimensions and volumes were larger in males compared to females, but after indexation only volumes remained larger (P < 0.001 for all). Parameters of systolic function, were significantly greater in females (LVEF 50 to 68%, GLS - 17 to - 24%) than in males (LVEF 50 to 67%, GLS - 15 to - 23%, P < 0.05). Upper limits of normality for cardiac dimensions (indexed and non-indexed) were markedly higher compared to contemporary guidelines (American Society of Echocardiography) and the Brazilian subgroup in the World Alliance Society of Echocardiography (WASE). Lower limit of normality for LVEF (both sex 50%) and upper limit of normality for the left atrial volume index (LAVI) (male: 31 mL/m2, female: 25 mL/m2) were within normal range but slightly lower compared to guidelines and the WASE study. Other diastolic parameters, including E/A-ratio, E/e' ratio and peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity were compatible with present recommendations. Normal reference ranges of echocardiographic parameters in healthy adults from the Brazilian Amazon Basin may be different compared to international guidelines and data from other regions of Brazil. This applies specifically for LVEF and LAVI.

Reference values of urine protein/creatinine ratio in healthy Dalian adults.

BackgroundThe urine protein/creatinine ratio (UPCR) is commonly used in current clinical practice. However, there are only few published clinical data on UPCR from large cohorts of Chinese adults. This study aimed to determine the overall and age‐ and sex‐specific UPCR reference values for healthy Dalian adults.MethodsAccording to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute EP28‐A3c guidelines, 1321 healthy Dalian adults (646 men and 675 women) aged 20–69 years were enrolled. Urine protein and creatinine levels were analyzed in the random morning spot urine samples, and UPCR was calculated. The 95th percentile of the UPCR was used as the normal upper limit. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to test differences among groups.ResultsThe UPCR reference value was 141.7 mg/g for the entire cohort, 128.7 mg/g for men, and 150.8 mg/g for women. In addition, women had relatively higher UPCR values than men in the same age group. We also compared the UPCR reference values between different estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) groups and found that women had significantly higher UPCR values than men in the normal eGFR groups.ConclusionsThis study provides the overall and age‐ and sex‐specific UPCR reference values for healthy Dalian adults.

Sonographic Reference Values of Vagus Nerve: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

To establish the first comprehensive and standardized set of vagus nerve (VN) sonographic reference values across all the published studies that can be used to standardize and guide clinical practice and research. This systematic review includes all possible available data from a total of 27 studies and 21 of them were included in the meta-analysis having a total of 864 participants. The overall mean cross-sectional area ranged from 2.29 to 2.76 mm2 for the right VN and from 1.83 to 2.23 mm2 for the left VN with 95% confidence interval. Sonographic reference values of VN at common carotid artery bifurcation, thyroid gland, and cartilage as well as other anatomic landmarks were provided. The mean cross-sectional area of the right VN of 2.53 mm2 and the left one of 2.03 mm2 can be considered as sonographic reference values in healthy adults. This review provides these reference values to be considered in the further sonographic evaluation of VNs.

Annual changes in appendicular skeletal muscle mass and quality in adults over 50 y of age, assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis

ObjectivesIt is essential to monitor changes in skeletal muscles to control healthy aging. The aim of this study was to assess changes in muscle mass, strength, and functional quality taking place in the course of aging and to analyze their correlations with recorded changes in impedance. MethodsThe study, carried out in two stages at a 1-y interval, covered 313 subjectively healthy adults ages 50 to 83 y. Hand grip strength and knee extensor strength were measured. Impedance parameters were measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and body composition components, including appendicular skeletal muscle mass, were estimated. The rates of annual changes in the analyzed parameters and their correlations with changes in impedance were calculated. ResultsThe annual losses in muscle strength and functional quality were found to be considerably larger than the losses in appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Larger decreases in leg muscle strength were recorded in women than in men. The decline in reactance and phase angle were positively correlated with the decrease in the indices evaluating muscle condition. ConclusionsMuscle mass deficits are not the main cause of the decline in muscle functional quality in older adults. Changes in muscle condition impairing muscle functions can be identified by changes in impedance components. An analysis of changes in phase angle and reactance would facilitate the assessment of muscle quality in geriatric prophylaxis and in screening, but it is necessary to establish normalized reference values for older adults.

Establishing abdominal QST reference values for healthy adults and adolescents

Debilitating abdominal and pelvic pain conditions are highly prevalent in adults and adolescents. Assessing sensory functioning among people with painful conditions is important in understanding the disease. Reference values for Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST), used to assess sensory perception, are well established for other regions but not the abdomen. The aim of this study was to establish QST reference values for the abdomen in a diverse group of males and female adults and adolescents. In this cross-sectional study, 181 healthy, pain-free males and females from age 12-50 years completed a comprehensive QST battery in upper and lower abdomen and a control site. The QST battery consisted of: Dynamic Mechanical Touch (DMT), Light Touch Detection (LTD), Sharp Prick Detection (SPD), Pressure Pain Threshold (PPT), Temporal Summation of Pain (TSP), Cool and Warmth Detection Thresholds (CDT, WDT), and Cold and Heat Pain Thresholds (CPT, HPT). Participants also answered pain-related questionnaires including the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, 36-Item Short Form Survey, Pain Sensitivity Questionnaire (PSQ). Mean and standard deviation values were calculated for each QST sub-test and separated by age, sex, and body site (upper and lower abdomen, and control site). Results of RMANOVAs indicated that pain sensitivity differed by site and modality, with no consistent pattern indicating one area was generally more sensitive than others. There were also effects of sex with males experienced less sensitivity to pressure and cold pain than females. Self-reported pain sensitivity (PSQ) was associated with greater abdominal sensitivity to punctate, cold, and heat pain. This paper successfully established reference QST values for the upper and lower abdominal sites for healthy, pain-free male and female adolescents and adults which will be critical in understanding somatosensory nervous system function among patients with abdominal and pelvic pain. These data will be critical in understanding nociceptive processing in the abdominal region. Boston Center for Endometriosis/Marriott Family Foundation Investigator Grant Office of Faculty Developtment at Boston Children's Hospital.

Clinical laboratory reference values in adults in Kisumu County, Western Kenya; hematology, chemistry and CD4.

BackgroundClinical laboratory reference intervals (RIs) are essential for diagnosing and managing patients in routine clinical care as well as establishing eligibility criteria and defining adverse events in clinical trials, but may vary by age, gender, genetics, nutrition and geographic location. It is, therefore, critical to establish region-specific reference values in order to inform clinical decision-making.MethodsWe analyzed data from a prospective observational HIV incidence cohort study in Kombewa, Kenya. Study participants were healthy males and females, aged 18–35 years, without HIV. Median and 95% reference values (2.5th percentile to 97.5th percentile) were calculated for laboratory parameters including hematology, chemistry studies, and CD4 T cell count. Standard Deviation Ratios (SDR) and Bias Ratios (BR) are presented as measures of effect magnitude. Findings were compared with those from the United States and other Kenyan studies.ResultsA total of 299 participants were analyzed with a median age of 24 years (interquartile range: 21–28). Ratio of males to females was 0.9:1. Hemoglobin range (2.5th—97.5th percentiles) was 12.0–17.9 g/dL and 9.5–15.3 g/dL in men and women respectively. In the cohort, MCV range was 59-95fL, WBC 3.7–9.2×103/μL, and platelet 154–401×103/μL. Chemistry values were higher in males; the creatinine RI was 59–103 μmol/L in males vs. 46–76 μmol/L in females (BRUL>.3); and the alanine transferase range was 8.8–45.3 U/L in males vs. 7.5–36.8 U/L in females (SDR>.3). The overall CD4 T cell count RI was 491–1381 cells/μL. Some parameters including hemoglobin, neutrophil, creatinine and ALT varied with that from prior studies in Kenya and the US.ConclusionThis study not only provides clinical reference intervals for a population in Kisumu County but also highlights the variations in comparable settings, accentuating the requirement for region-specific reference values to improve patient care, scientific validity, and quality of clinical trials in Africa.

Timed Up and Go: Reference Values for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with and without Arthritis and Non-Communicable Diseases: The Tromsø Study.

PurposeThe Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is used to assess a person’s mobility and balance. We aimed to provide updated reference values for TUG performance for the community-dwelling older population according to age and sex, and according to the presence of arthritis and non-communicable diseases (NCDs).Participants and MethodsCross-sectional data from the seventh wave (2015–2016) of the population-based Norwegian Tromsø Study counting 5400 community-dwelling people (53% women), aged 60–84 years were used. Reference values were presented as percentiles and means for men and women by age at five-year intervals.ResultsMedian TUG score was stable during age 60–65 years, and after age 65 years median TUG score increased significantly with age (increase by 0.14 sec per 1 year higher age in both men and women, p<0.001). At the youngest ages (<65 years), in both men and women, there were no differences in TUG performance for those with NCD or arthritis compared to those without these diseases. After age 65 however, those without these diseases performed significantly better (p<0.05) in both men and women.ConclusionThe present study provided percentile reference values for TUG performance in community-dwelling older adults in Norway by age and sex, and in subgroups of those having arthritis and NCDs. TUG scores increased with age, and performance was significantly poorer among participants with arthritis or NCDs after age 65 years. The findings may guide clinical interventions for individuals with mobility and balance disabilities.

Relationship Between Bioelectrical Impedance Parameters and Appendicular Muscle Functional Quality in Older Adults from South-Western Poland.

PurposeThe aim of this research was to assess the correlations between the impedance components and the appendicular skeletal muscle strength and functional quality indices in older adults. The use of the impedance parameters as potential identifiers characterizing the functional state of muscles could improve methods of monitoring “healthy ageing”.Patients and MethodsA total of 346 subjectively healthy adults aged 50–83 years were subjected to tests. Body mass and height, hand grip strength and knee extensor strength were measured. Resistance, reactance and phase angle were measured using the bioelectrical impedance method. The relationship between the impedance parameters and the appendicular skeletal muscle strength and quality indices was evaluated using stepwise multiple regression.ResultsParticipants aged ≥65 years were found to be characterized by lower values of the impedance parameters and the appendicular skeletal muscle strength and functional quality indices than participants 10 years younger. In both groups of sexes, the relative percentage differences in limb strength between the age groups were 3–6 times greater than the differences in appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Significant regression models for muscle strength and quality, with strong age, sex and reactance prediction and a weaker phase angle effect, were obtained.ConclusionThe impedance components explain the part of changes in muscle strength which is independent of the decline in skeletal muscle mass. Phase angle and reactance can be suitable for diagnosing and preventing dangers connected with the decline in muscle quality, but it is necessary to establish their normalized reference values for older adults.

Peak In- and Expiratory Flow Revisited: Reliability and Reference Values in Adults

Background: While peak in- and expiratory flow rates offer valuable information for diagnosis and monitoring in respiratory disease, these indices are usually considered too variable to be routinely used for quantification in clinical practice. Objectives: The aim of the study was to obtain reproducible measurements of maximal inspiratory flow rates and to construct reference equations for peak in- and expiratory flows (PIF and PEF). Method: With coaching for maximal effort, 187 healthy Caucasian subjects (20–80 years) performed at least 3 combined forced inspiratory and expiratory manoeuvres, until at least 2 peak inspiratory flow measurements were within 10% of each other. The effect on PIF preceded by a slow expiration instead of a forced expiration and PIF repeatability over 3 different days was also investigated in subgroups. Reference values and limits of normal for PIF, mid-inspiratory flow, and PEF were obtained according to the Lambda-Mu-Sigma statistical method. Results: A valid PIF could be obtained within 3.3 ± 0.6(SD) attempts, resulting in an overall within-test PIF variability of 4.6 ± 3.2(SD)%. A slow instead of a forced expiration prior to forced inspiration resulted in a significant (p < 0.001) but small PIF increase (2.5% on average). Intraclass correlation coefficient for between-day PIF was 0.981 (95% CI: 0.960–0.992). Over the entire age range, inter-subject PIF variability was smaller than in previous reports, and PIF could be predicted based on its determinants gender, age, and height (r² = 0.53). Conclusions: When adhering to similar criteria for the measurement of effort-dependent portions of inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume curves, performed according to current ATS/ERS standards, it is possible to obtain reproducible PIF and PEF values for use in routine clinical practice.

Abstract 12971: Oxidative Stress in Children With Left to Right Shunt Congenital Heart Disease

Background: Oxidative stress has recently been noted as a factor involved in myocardial remodeling and has been reported to be a predictor of heart failure severity and cardiac death in adults. However, its relevance in the pediatric field is unclear. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the reference range of oxidative stress dynamics and evaluate the role of oxidative stress in children with left to right shunt congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods: The subjects consisted of 40 patients (CHD group) with left to right shunt CHD who underwent cardiac catheterization at Hamamatsu University Hospital and 105 healthy children. The oxidative stress markers were measured in blood derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROM; adult reference value 250-300 U. CARR). We examined the dynamics of ROM in healthy children and then compared the various parameters, including ROM, in 40 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (control group). Results: The median age of the CHD group (21 boys and 19 girls) was 9.5 months (interquartile range: 2.8-32.0 months). CHD consisted of 27 cases of ventricular septal defect, 8 cases of atrial septal defect, 4 cases of patent ductus arteriosus, and 1 case of atrioventricular septal defect. In the healthy children, ROM showed a significant positive correlation with age (r = 0.482, p &lt;0.001). The blood ROM of the CHD group (292 ± 84 U.CARR) was significantly higher (p &lt;0.001) than that in the control group (199 ± 82 U.CARR), and the ROM showed a significant positive correlation with the pulmonary-to-systemic blood flow ratio (r = 0.333, p = 0.022), the percentage of left ventricular end diastolic volume (r = 0.503, p &lt;0.001), and the percentage of right ventricular end diastolic volume (r = 0.771, p &lt;0.001). The area under ROC curve of ROM for pulmonary-to-systemic-blood-flow ratio &gt; 1.5 was 0.741 (95% CI: 0.576-0.906, p=0.026), with a cut-off value of 293 U.CARR. Conclusions: ROM, an indicator of oxidative stress, showed a gradual upward trend with age in childhood, and this transition was confirmed to differ from that of NT-proBNP, which decreases to a steady state after marked elevation in the early neonatal period. These findings suggest that ROM is a biological marker reflecting at least the volume load in left to right shunt CHD.

Normative Reference Values of Cardiac Output by Pulsed-Wave Doppler Echocardiography in Adults

Cardiac output (CO) is routinely assessed by pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography, yet reference values in adults are lacking. We aim to establish normative values of CO and cardiac index (CI) by pulsed-wave Doppler-echocardiography and to analyze their relation with gender and age in nonobese and obese adults. We included 4,040 adults (mean age: 55 years, 53% women, 950 obese [body mass index ≥30 kg/m²]) with normal blood pressure, no history of cardiovascular disease, and normal transthoracic echocardiography. Normative reference CO and CI values for were calculated in 3,090 nonobese patients by quantile regression. CO normal limits were lower in females than in males (lower limit: 3.3 vs 3.5 L/min, upper limit: 7.3 vs 8.2 L/min). CI normal limits were identical for both genders (lower limit: 1.9 L/min/m², upper limit: 4.3 L/min/m²). Although the relation of CO to age was weak and observed only in women, CI of both genders was not influenced by age. CO of obese patients was significantly greater than that of their nonobese counterparts. CI of obese patients was not influenced by age and gender and was not significantly different than that of nonobese patients (lower limit 1.8 L/min/m², upper limit 4.1 L/min/m² for both genders). In conclusion, in a large adult population we establish normative reference values for CO and CI measured by Doppler-echocardiography. CI is a remarkably stable parameter that is not influenced by age, gender, and body size and should be used to define low- and high-output states.

The Timed Up-&amp;-Go Test: Preliminary Age- and Sex-related Reference Values for Older Filipino Adults

Objective. The Timed Up-&amp;-Go Test (TUGT) is a clinically useful measure that has been widely used in practice toassess functional mobility in older people. Interpretation of TUGT scores relies on appropriate reference values.This study aimed to describe preliminary age- and sex-related reference values for the TUGT for Filipinos aged60–79 years.&#x0D; Methods. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study. We included Filipino adults aged 60–79 years, with no significantdisability, and resided in metropolitan areas in the National Capital Region and rural communities in southernLuzon. All participants completed the TUGT. Data were analyzed descriptively and reported as means, standarddeviations, and 95% confidence intervals.&#x0D; Results. A total of 156 community-dwelling older adults participated in the study with mean age (SD) of 68 (5)years. The majority were women (103/156, 66%). Mean (SD) TUGT score for all participants was 11.0 (2.4) seconds.Overall, men completed the test faster compared to women, and individuals in the 60–69 years age group hadshorter completion times than those in the 70–79 years age group.&#x0D; Conclusion. In the absence of definitive reference values for older Filipino adults, this study provides preliminaryguidance for interpreting TUGT performance for the purposes of screening and monitoring functional mobilityimpairments in this population.

Sonographic Assessment of Portal Vein Diameter among Healthy Adults in Saudi Arabia

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mean values of the portal vein diameter (PVD) and establish its ultrasound reference values in healthy Saudi adults. Methods and Results: A total of 124 healthy adult volunteers (45.2% males and 54.8% females, a mean age of 44.8 +/- 16 years), presenting at the US Department of El-Karama Medical Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, were recruited between November 2018 and May 2019 for this prospective study. Abdominal ultrasound scans were conducted on a Hitachi Aloka F37 machine with a curvilinear transducer with a frequency of 3.5 MHz. The data collection sheets completed for each subject included the following variables: sex, age, height, weight, and BMI (kg/m(2)). The mean PVD was 10.40 +/- 1.22 mm and higher in men (10.7 +/- 1.1 mm) than in women (10.1 +/- 1.2 mm) (P<0.05). Study results showed that PVD did not correlate with age and BMI. Conclusion: Further large-scale studies are needed to establish ultrasound reference values for PVD in healthy Saudi adults.

Measurement of macular thickness with optical coherence tomography: impact of using a paediatric reference database and analysis of interocular symmetry.

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) software is used to classify abnormality of macular thickness by colour category based on reference data from adult series. We assessed the impact of using paediatric reference thickness values for macular thickness instead of adult reference values. Cross-sectional study. Primary and tertiary healthcare setting. Out of 140 healthy participants aged 5 to 18years, 126 were eligible, 83% from European origin. Following a dilated eye examination and cycloplegic refraction, participants underwent macular scanning with OCT (Topcon 3D OCT-2000). Macular thickness paediatric reference values were recorded by spherical equivalent (SE) and sex, and the specific agreement between paediatric and adult reference values below or equal to percentile 5 and above percentile 95 was estimated. The absolute interocular differences for all macular parameters were determined. Multivariate regression analysis confirmed statistically independent positive associations between SE and average thickness, total volume, and temporal and inferior outer quadrants (all p values ≤ 0.003). The analysis also revealed higher values in males for average thickness, central thickness, and all inner macula quadrants (all p values ≤ 0.039). The use of the adult database only detected 49% of the extreme values (≤ p5 and > p95) in our paediatric sample. The 95th percentile limits for absolute interocular differences for all macular parameters ranged from 12 to 17μm. OCT-based macular reference values for paediatric SE and sex improve detection of children with abnormal macular thicknesses. Interocular differences exceeding standard references for macular parameters should be considered for further examinations.