• Jucelino Nery da Conceição Filho, Iris Campos Dos Santos, Davi Pereira de Jesus Gonçalves, Junia Raquel Dutra Ferreira, and Ana Leonor Pardo Campos Godoy.
• Bahia Toxicological Information and Assistance Center, Bahia State Health Secretariat. Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. jucelinonery@yahoo.com.br.
• Ir J Med Sci. 2023 Jun 1; 192 (3): 131113191311-1319.

IntroductionButyrylcholinesterase (BChE), an important biomarker of exposure to anticholinesterases, varies its activity according to the intensity and duration of exposure to these agents. Their normal values may vary in different populations. It is important to determine the reference values for the local population, mostly black/brown.ObjectiveThe objective was to investigate the baseline values of BChE activity in a sample of the Salvador city population (Bahia, Brazil), evaluating the sociodemographic characteristics.MethodA descriptive, quantitative study with a cross-sectional approach was carried out in 304 voluntary and healthy blood donors. BChE activity was determined using the integrated chemical system Dimension RxLMax and analyses of sociodemographic characteristics were performed.ResultsFor the 304 participants (18 to 67 years old), BChE activity values range were 7.4 to 19.8 U/mL (male) and 6.0 to 19.6 U/mL (female), without significant inter-racial differences (p = 0.986; Mann-Whitney). The participates were predominantly black (44.7%) and brown (40.5%), with higher levels of BchE activity in males (64.8%) (p-value = 0.01) than females (35.2%). There was no relationship between alcohol use and lower BChE activity (p = 0.725, Mann-Whitney). Women using hormonal contraceptives had a median activity 9.2% lower than the non-users.ConclusionDespite the high miscegenation and predominance of the black race in Salvador, contrary to what was expected, the sample did not show statistically significant intra-racial differences in BChE activity, being able to use the same reference values currently used, observing factors such as sex, use of contraceptives, and drinking alcohol.© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland.

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