Estimation of reference values for liver function test analytes in apparently healthy adults of Southern Nigeria.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine age and sex based reference ranges for liver function test biochemical parameters for adult population.Methodology: This was a cross sectional study carried out at the Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Okolobiri, Bayelsastate, Southern Nigeria. A total of 200 volunteers were screened (106males and 94 females) with exclusion criteria free from HIV,Hepatitis B and C infections. The piccolo expressanalyzer screened for Albumin, Alanine Transaminase (ALT), AspartateTransaminase (AST), Total Protein (TP), Gamma Glutamine Transferase (GGT) and Total Bilirubin (TBIL).Results: Reference ranges were constructed using non-parametric methods to estimate 2.5 and 97.5 percentiles of distribution as lower and upper reference limits respectively. Significant age and sex difference was observed in the reference ranges for AST, ALT, GGT and TBIL. The developed reference ranges also differed from kit (manufacturer’s values) and other literature.Conclusion: This study provides age and sex specific liver function test analytes to be used in Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital,(NDUTH)Okolobiri. It recommends the adoption of these values in NDUTH, other regions of Bayelsa state and Southern Nigeria.KEYWORDS:Age,sex, adult reference ranges, liver function parameters