OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to investigate the plasma level of soluble ST2 (sST2) and related influencing factors, and establish its reference value in the healthy community-based population in Beijing area of China.

METHODSWe measured plasma sST2 level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay between March 2012 and August 2012 in 1 334 healthy subjects in communities, including 597 males and 737 females. Empiric and quantile regression methods were used to determine the reference range of plasma sST2. A multiple linear regression model was established to analyze the factors that might affect the level of plasma sST2.

RESULTSGender is the most important factor affecting the plasma level of sST2 in healthy people. Plasma level of sST2 is significantly higher in men than in women (P < 0.01). Within each age strata, i.e. < 45, 45-54, 55-64, ≥ 65 years old, the plasma levels of sST2 were significantly higher in men than age-matched female (all P < 0.01). Age, body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and smoking did not affect plasma sST2 level. Reference range of sST2 was 5.7-53.5 µg/L for men and 4.4-42.4 µg/L for women (95% nonparametric reference interval). The one-side upper 95th percentile value of sST2 to discriminate the cardiovascular disease from healthy state was 47.2 µg/L for men and 37.2 µg/L for women.

CONCLUSIONSThis study established the normal reference range of plasma sST2 in healthy community-based population. The major influencing factor of sST2 level in healthy population is gender.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors ; analysis ; Male ; Multivariate Analysis ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVETo investigate the plasma level of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and related influencing factors in a community-based healthy population in Beijing area.

METHODSWe measured plasma NT-proBNP level by fluoroimmunoassay between March 2012 and July 2012 from 1 034 healthy subjects (including 486 men and 548 women). Empiric method was used to determine the reference value and influencing factors were analyzed.

RESULTSAge and gender are important factors affecting the level of NT-proBNP in healthy subjects. NT-proBNP plasma level is significantly higher in women than in men within each age strata below 75 years old, i.e. < 45, 45-54, 55-64 and 65-74 years old (P = 0.005, 0.001, 0.001, 0.011 respectively), but NT-proBNP plasma level is similar between male and female older than 75 years (P = 0.504). NT-proBNP level also increases with age irrespective of gender. Body mass index (BMI) is another independent influencing factor of NT-proBNP (P < 0.001), while estimated glomerular filtration rate is not influencing factor. The reference range of NT-proBNP is < 133 ng/L for men and < 289 ng/L for women aged < 55 years old, < 185 ng/L for men and < 333 ng/L for women aged between 55 and 64 years old, and < 465 ng/L for men and < 378 ng/L for women aged ≥ 75 years old.

CONCLUSIONThe major influencing factors of NT-proBNP level in the healthy population are age, gender and BMI. It essential to establish normal reference range of NT-proBNP according to these factors for Chinese population.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Natriuretic Peptide, Brain ; Peptide Fragments ; Reference Values