Personalized Reference Intervals Versus Indirectly Estimated Population-Based Reference Intervals for Hematology...

Area of Science:

• Clinical laboratory science
• Hematology
• Biostatistics

Background:

• Accurate interpretation of laboratory data relies on reliable reference intervals (RIs).
• Population-based reference intervals (popRIs) are standard, but personalized reference intervals (prRIs) derived from individual data offer improved accuracy.
• This study compares prRIs with popRIs for common hematology parameters.

Purpose of the Study:

• To estimate personalized reference intervals (prRIs) for common hematology parameters.
• To compare these prRIs with population-based reference intervals (popRIs).
• To evaluate the utility of prRIs for clinical decision-making in hematology.

Main Methods:

• Population-based reference intervals (popRIs) were estimated for 17 complete blood count (CBC) subparameters using patient laboratory data.
• Personalized reference intervals (prRIs) were calculated for the same parameters using longitudinal data from 200 healthy individuals via a prediction interval model.
• The reference interval index (RII) was computed as the ratio of the prRI range to the popRI range for each measurand.

Main Results:

• Personalized reference intervals (prRIs) for CBC parameters showed significant differences compared to population-based reference intervals (popRIs).
• The median reference interval index (RII) ranged from 0.41 for eosinophils to 2.97 for platelet distribution width (PDW).
• These findings indicate variability in how individual RIs deviate from population norms.

Conclusions:

• Personalized reference intervals (prRIs) for CBC parameters demonstrably differ from their corresponding population-based reference intervals (popRIs).
• The use of prRIs is recommended for a more precise interpretation of patient CBC results.
• Implementing prRIs can enhance the accuracy of clinical decision-making in hematology.