Serum β2-microglobulin measured by immunonephelometry: expression patterns and reference intervals in healthy adults

Background: Serum beta(2)-microglobulin (beta 2m) has been established as a marker of disease activity in malignancies, autoimmune conditions and infections. Despite its important role in prognosis assessment and disease monitoring, relatively few studies are available on its expression in healthy individuals. Furthermore, interpretation of results is hampered by the variety in reference limits due to differences in methodology, sample population and statistics. Methods: Serum beta 2m concentrations were measured using a microparticle-enhanced immunonephelometric method in 183 healthy blood donors aged 29-75 years. Results: The median beta 2m concentration was 1.67 (0.88-2.75) mg/L with no difference between men and women (1.71 mg/L vs. 1.62 mg/L, p<0.07). A linear correlation was found between beta 2m and age (p<0.0001), serum concentrations significantly higher in older subjects (1.55, 1.59, 1.70, and 1.87 mg/L in age groups of 29-40, 40-50, 50-60 and 60-75 years, respectively, p<0.0001). Reference intervals obtained by non-parametric estimation after partitioning by age were 1.02-2.46 mg/L vs. 1.29-2.70 mg/L in younger (29-49 years) vs. older (50-75 years) individuals. Conclusions: These data can help standardise beta 2m reference limits and support age-adjusted comparisons in clinical studies. Clin Chem Lab Med 2009; 47: 585-9.