Objective
To explore the distribution of thrombin–antithrombin complex (TAT), plasmin-α2-antiplasmin complex (PIC), thrombomodulin (TM), and tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex (t-PAIC) in healthy older Chinese adults, and establish the reference intervals (RIs).
Methods
The plasma concentrations of TAT, PIC, TM, and t-PAIC were measured in 1628 adults ≥ 60 years old; the RIs were established with the 2.5th and 97.5th percentile of the distribution.
Results
TAT levels in males of all ages were lower than those in females. Differences between the ages of 60–79 and ≥ 80 in both sex groups were statistically significant, with an upward trend with age. There was no difference in PIC levels between sex groups. There were differences in all age groups within the two sex groups; the trend increased with age. TM levels did not differ between the sex groups, with little fluctuation with age. The level in females aged 60–69 was slightly higher than that in the other groups; the difference was statistically significant. T-PAIC levels were not significantly different between the sex groups, with less fluctuation with sex and age. The level in males ≥ 80 years old was slightly lower than that in the other groups; the difference was statistically significant. The RIs for all markers in healthy older Chinese adults were determined and statistically reported by age and sex.
Conclusions
Discrepancies exist in novel thrombus markers among different sex and age groups. The RIs of TAT, PIC, TM and t-PAIC for healthy older Chinese adults were successfully established.