Establishing Reference Interval for Fasting Blood Glucose in Healthy Adults of Ambalapuzha, Kerala, India: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Fasting blood glucose is one of the major tests in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of Diabetes Mellitus. Researchers have found the racial/ethnic differences in reference interval of common biochemical and haematological laboratory tests. Reference Intervals denotes normative values related to laboratory parameters/analytes used by diagnostic centres for clinical diagnosis. An appropriate reference value is essential for effective clinical decision making.

Aim: To establish reference intervals for some fasting blood glucose in healthy adult population of Ambalapuzha, North Grama Panchayath, Kerala, India.

Materials And Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Govt. T.D. Medical College, Ambalapuzha, Alappuzha, Kerala, India, from February 2018 to August 2018. A total of 420 healthy individuals were included in the study. After random selection of subjects, fasting blood samples were collected and all the samples were analysed for fasting blood glucose levels. Data was analysed statistically by using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. Mean, standard deviation, reference interval and comparison between both sexes and different age groups was done.

Results: Out of 420 individuals 166 (39.5%) were males and 254 (60.5%) were females. The mean level of glucose was 80.97±10.113 mg% and the standard error of means was 0.493. The study population were categorised into 20-29 years, 30- 39 years, 40-49 years and 50-59 years age groups. When compared those age groups, the mean blood glucose level was highest (83.81 mg%) for the age group 50-59 years. Significant difference in mean was seen when 30-39 years and 40-49 years was compared with 50-59 years age category.

Conclusion: The study concluded that there was no difference in the reference range established between males and females. There was a significant difference in the mean fasting blood glucose among different age groups.