Percentiles as reference values for laboratory data

Area of Science:

• Clinical Laboratory Science
• Biostatistics
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Laboratory results are conventionally reported in standard units.
• Interpreting the clinical significance of a laboratory result can be challenging.
• Reporting results as percentiles from a reference population offers an intuitive measure of how unusual a value is.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe a modified method for estimating reference percentiles.
• To provide a more stable and interpretable measure of laboratory result unusualness.
• To apply this method for reporting spirometric data.

Main Methods:

• Developed a modified method for reference percentile estimation.
• The method does not assume a specific distribution for the reference population.
• Employs techniques to reduce variability compared to previous interpolation-based methods.

Main Results:

• The modified method yields percentile values with smaller variability.
• This approach enhances the interpretability of laboratory results for clinicians.
• The method is successfully implemented for spirometric data analysis.

Conclusions:

• The modified percentile estimation method offers a robust alternative to conventional reporting.
• This technique improves the clinical interpretation of laboratory test results.
• The method's application to spirometric data demonstrates its practical utility.