scholarly journals #6: High Diagnostic Accuracy of Automated Rapid Strep A Test Reduces Antibiotic Prescriptions for Children in the United Arab Emirates.

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S17-S17
Author(s):  
Salama Bin Hendi ◽  
Zainab A Malik ◽  
Amar Hassan Khamis ◽  
Fadil Y A Al-Najjar

Abstract Background Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis in children is hindered by variable sensitivity of clinical criteria and rapid Strep A tests (SAT), resulting in reliance on throat cultures as the gold standard for diagnosis. Delays while awaiting culture reports result in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions among children, contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Methods Diagnostic accuracy study of an automated SAT (A-SAT) in children up to 16 years of age presenting to an emergency room with signs and symptoms of pharyngitis between March and June 2019. Paired throat swabs for A-SAT and culture were collected. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for A-SAT were calculated. Results Two hundred and ninety-one children were included in this study. 168 (57.7%) were boys and the mean age was 4.2 years. A-SAT was positive in 94 (32.3%) and throat culture was positive in 90 (30.9%) children. A-SAT and throat culture results showed a high level of consistency in our cohort. Only 6 (2%) children had inconsistent results, demonstrating that the A-SAT has a high sensitivity (98.9%), specificity (97.5%), PPV (94.7%) and NPV (99.5%) for the diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis in children. Only 92 (32%) children were prescribed antibiotics while the vast majority (68%) were not. Conclusions A-SAT is a quick and reliable test with diagnostic accuracy comparable to throat culture. Its widespread clinical use can help limit antibiotic prescriptions to children presenting with pharyngitis, thus limiting the spread of AMR.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salama Bin Hendi ◽  
Zainab A. Malik ◽  
Amar Hassan Khamis ◽  
Fadil Y. A. Al-Najjar

Abstract Background Diagnosis of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis in children is hindered by variable sensitivity of clinical criteria and rapid Strep A tests (SAT), resulting in reliance on throat cultures as the gold standard for diagnosis. Delays while awaiting culture reports result in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions among children, contributing to the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Methods Diagnostic accuracy study of an automated SAT (A-SAT) in children up to 16 years of age presenting to an emergency room with signs and symptoms of pharyngitis between March and June 2019. Paired throat swabs for A-SAT and culture were collected. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for A-SAT were calculated. Results Two hundred and ninety-one children were included in this study. 168 (57.7%) were boys and the mean age was 4.2 years. A-SAT was positive in 94 (32.3%) and throat culture was positive in 90 (30.9%) children. A-SAT and throat culture results showed a high level of consistency in our cohort. Only 6 (2%) children had inconsistent results, demonstrating that the A-SAT has a high sensitivity (98.9%), specificity (97.5%), PPV (94.7%) and NPV (99.5%) for the diagnosis of GAS pharyngitis in children. Only 92 (32%) children were prescribed antibiotics while the vast majority (68%) were not. Conclusions A-SAT is a quick and reliable test with diagnostic accuracy comparable to throat culture. Its widespread clinical use can help limit antibiotic prescriptions to children presenting with pharyngitis, thus limiting the spread of AMR.


2021 ◽  
pp. 036354652110271
Author(s):  
Michael G. Saper ◽  
Viviana Bompadre ◽  
Gregory A. Schmale ◽  
Sarah Menashe ◽  
Monique Burton ◽  
...  

Background: An anteroposterior (AP) radiograph of the elbow in 45° of flexion has been suggested to increase the diagnostic accuracy of capitellum osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Purpose: To assess the diagnostic performance, inter- and intraobserver reliability, and confidence level for identifying capitellum OCD using plain radiographs (AP, lateral, and 45° flexion AP). Study Design: Cohort study (Diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: This was a retrospective study of pediatric and adolescent patients with capitellum OCD and a control group. Six independent clinicians who were blinded to the official radiologists’ reports reviewed images on 2 separate occasions, 1 week apart. A 5-point Likert scale was used to assess the clinicians’ level of confidence. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were calculated for individual and combinations of radiographic views. Inter- and intraobserver reliability was determined using Cohen kappa (κ) coefficients. Results: A total of 28 elbows (mean age, 12.5 ± 2 years) were included. There were no differences in age ( P = .18), sex ( P = .62), or laterality ( P > .999) between groups. There were marked variations in the diagnostic accuracy between views: sensitivity (AP, 85.1; lateral, 73.2; 45° flexion AP, 91.7), specificity (AP, 89.3; lateral, 91.7; 45° flexion AP, 91.1), PPV (AP, 88.8; lateral, 89.8; 45° flexion AP, 91.1), NPV (AP, 85.7; lateral, 77.4; 45° flexion AP, 91.6), and accuracy (AP, 87.2; lateral, 82.4; 45° flexion AP, 91.4). Standard radiographs (AP and lateral views) failed to diagnose capitellum OCD in 4.8% of cases. The sensitivity of the 3 combined views was 100%. Confidence intervals in the clinicians’ diagnostic assessments were similar for each view (AP, 4.0; lateral, 4.0; and 45° flexion AP, 4.1). Interobserver reliability was substantial for AP and lateral views (κ = 0.65 and κ = 0.60, respectively) but highest for the 45° flexion AP radiographs (κ = 0.72). Intraobserver reliability for the 45° flexion AP view was moderate to almost perfect (κ = 0.45 to 0.93). Conclusion: The 45° flexion AP view can detect capitellum OCD with excellent accuracy, a high level of confidence, and substantial interobserver agreement. When added to standard AP and lateral radiographs, the 45° flexion AP view aids in the identification of capitellum OCD.


2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Ali Safizadeh Shabestari ◽  
Zainab A. Malik ◽  
Fadil Y. A. Al-Najjar

Abstract Background Unnecessary antibiotic prescription to patients with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) has led to the increase in antibiotics resistant bacteria rates. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of QuickVue® Dipstick Strep A test (QV-SAT) in children presenting with acute pharyngotonsillitis and its effect on antibiotic prescribing. Methods A single-gated diagnostic accuracy study of children with fever, runny nose, and tonsillitis presenting to a paediatric clinic between March 2016 and September 2018. Paired throat swabs for QV-SAT and culture were collected. None of the children received antibiotics prior to sample collection. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the test were calculated. Results Two hundred four children were included in this study. 111 (54.4%) were boys and 146 (71.6%) were under the age of 5 years. QV-SAT was positive in 44 (21.6%) and throat culture was positive for Group A β- haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) in 42 (20.6%) of the children. The results of QV-SAT were highly consistent with culture results: only 2 (0.9%) children with negative results had a positive throat culture. The sensitivity of the QV-SAT in the identification of GAS infection was 100% (95% CI 91.6%, 100%) and the NPV was 100% (95% CI 99.9%, 100%). Only 42 children ( 20.6%) were given antibiotics, while 162 (79.4%) were not. Conclusion The QV-SAT is a quick and reliable test that can help dramatically reduce antibiotic prescriptions to children presenting with fever and acute pharyngotonsillitis.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Ali Safizadeh Shabestari ◽  
Zainab A. Malik ◽  
Fadil Y A Al-Najjar

Abstract Background: Unnecessary antibiotic prescription to patients with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) has led to the increase in antibiotics resistant bacteria rates. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of QuickVue® Dipstick Strep A test (QV-SAT) in children presenting with acute pharyngotonsillitis and its effect on antibiotic prescribing. Methods: A single-gated diagnostic accuracy study of children with fever, runny nose, and tonsillitis presenting to a paediatric clinic between March 2016 and September 2018. Paired throat swabs for QV-SAT and culture were collected. None of the children received antibiotics prior to sample collection. Furthermore, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratios of the test were calculated. Results: 204 children were included in this study. 111 (54.4%) were boys and 146 (71.6%) were under the age of five years. QV-SAT was positive in 44 (21.6%) and throat culture was positive for Group A β- haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) in 42 (20.6%) of the children. The results of QV-SAT were highly consistent with culture results: only 2 (0.9%) children with negative results had a positive throat culture. The sensitivity of the QV-SAT in the identification of GAS infection was 100% (95% CI 91.6%, 100%) and the NPV was 100% (95% CI 70%, 95%). Only 42 children (21%) were given antibiotics, while 162 (79%) were not. Conclusion: The QV-SAT is a quick and reliable test that can help dramatically reduce antibiotic prescriptions to children presenting with fever and acute pharyngotonsillitis.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Ali Safizadeh Shabestari ◽  
Zainab A. Malik ◽  
Fadil Y A Al-Najjar

Abstract Background: Unnecessary antibiotic prescription to patients with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) has led to the increase in antibiotics resistant bacteria rates. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of QuickVue® Dipstick Strep A test (QV-SAT) in children presenting with acute pharyngotonsillitis and its effect on antibiotic prescribing. Methods: A single-gated diagnostic accuracy study of children with runny nose, fever, and tonsillitis presenting to a paediatric clinic between March 2016 and September 2018. Paired throat swabs for QV-SAT and culture were collected. None of the children received antibiotics prior to sample collection. Furthermore, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratios of the test were calculated. Results: 204 children were included in this study. 111 (54.4%) were boys and 146 (71.6%) were under the age of five years. QV-SAT was positive in 44 (21.6%) and throat culture was positive for Group A β- haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) in 42 (20.6%) of the children. The results of QV-SAT were highly consistent with culture results: only 2 (0.9%) children with negative results had a positive throat culture. The sensitivity of the QV-SAT in the identification of GAS infection was 100% (95% CI 91.6%, 100%) and the NPV was 100% (95% CI 70%, 95%). Only 42 children (21%) were given antibiotics, while 162 (79%) were not. Conclusion: The QV-SAT is a quick and reliable test which can help dramatically reduce antibiotic prescriptions to children presenting with fever and acute pharyngotonsillitis.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Ali Safizadeh Shabestari ◽  
Zainab A. Malik ◽  
Fadil Y A Al-Najjar

Abstract Background: Unnecessary antibiotic prescription to children with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) has led to the increase in antibiotics resistant bacteria rates. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of QuickVue® Dipstick Strep A test (QV-SAT) in children presenting with acute pharyngotonsillitis and its effect on antibiotic prescribing. Methods: A single-gated diagnostic accuracy study of children with acute catarrh, fever, and inflamed tonsils presenting to a pediatric clinic between March 2016 and September 2018. Paired throat swabs for QV-SAT and culture were collected. None of the children received antibiotics prior to sample collection. Diagnostic accuracy of the QV-SAT was achieved by estimating the area under the ROC curve (AUC). Furthermore, the positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and likelihood ratios of the test were calculated. Results: 204 children were included in this study. 111 (54.4%) were boys and 146 (71.6%) were under the age of five years. QV-SAT was positive in 44 (21.6%) and throat culture was positive for Group A β- haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) in 42 (20.6%) of the children. The results of QV-SAT were highly consistent with culture results: only 2 (0.9%) children with negative results had a positive throat culture. The sensitivity of the QV-SAT in the identification of GAS infection was 100% (95% CI 91.6%, 100%) and the NPV was 100% (95% CI 70%, 95%). Only 42 children (21%) were given antibiotics, while 162 (79%) were not. Conclusion: The QV-SAT is a quick and reliable test which can help dramatically reduce antibiotic prescriptions to children presenting with fever and acute pharyngotonsillitis.


2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Benish Yousuf ◽  
Hira Ambreen ◽  
Tahira Mariam ◽  
Abdul Raouf ◽  
Ambreen Yaseen ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Saline hysterosonography is a simple and cost-effective method with high sensitivity to detect uterine abnormalities causing postmenopausal bleeding. The objective of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of saline hysterosonography in detecting endometrial hyperplasia in women with postmenopausal bleeding by taking histopathology as a gold standard. METHODOLOGY: A hundred and twenty (120) cases were enrolled from the outpatient and inpatient department of obstetrics and gynecology. Proper history and relevant examination of the patient was done. Then preparations were made for the procedure. The patient was counseled and the technique explained to her. Then Foley catheter no 12 was passed in cervix and sonography was done while instilling normal saline through a cervical catheter and scan pictures were frozen and results were given by expert gynecologist of Allied Hospital, Faisalabad. Histopathology specimen was sent to the pathology lab. RESULTS: Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and diagnostic accuracy of saline hysterosonography in detecting endometrial hyperplasia was recorded as 96.15%,91,49%,75.76%,98.85%, and 92.5% respectively. CONCLUSION: Saline hysterosonography has high sensitivity to detect uterine hyperplasia. It can be used as a cost effective alternative to hysteroscopy in many units in Pakistan.


Author(s):  
Xing Hu ◽  
Xiaojie Huang ◽  
Jianhua Hou ◽  
Lei Ding ◽  
Chunling Su ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives To systematically review studies on the diagnostic accuracy of spleen stiffness measurement (SSM) for the detection of clinical significant portal hypertension (CSPH), severe portal hypertension (SPH), esophageal varices (EV), and high-risk esophageal varices (HREV) in patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD). Methods Through a systematic search, we identified 32 studies reporting the accuracy of SSM for the diagnosis of portal hypertension (PH) and/or EV in adults with CLD. A bivariate random-effects model was performed to estimate pooled sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and diagnostic odds ratios (DOR). The clinical utility of SSM was evaluated by Fagan plot. Results A total of 32 studies assessing 3952 patients were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivities of SSM were 0.85 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.69–0.93) for CSPH; 0.84 (95% CI, 0.75–0.90) for SPH; 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83–0.94) for any EV; and 0.87 (95% CI, 0.77–0.93) for HREV. The pooled specificities of SSM were 0.86 (95% CI, 0.74–0.93) for CSPH; 0.84 (95% CI, 0.72–0.91) for SPH; 0.73 (95% CI, 0.66–0.79) for EV; and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.53–0.77) for HREV. Summary PPV and NPV of SSM for detecting HREV were 0.54 (95% CI, 0.47–0.62) and 0.88 (95% CI, 0.81–0.95), respectively. Conclusions Our meta-analysis suggests that SSM could be used as a helpful surveillance tool in management of CLD patients and was quite useful for ruling out the presence of HREV thereby avoiding unnecessary endoscopy. Key Points • SSM could be used to rule out the presence of HREV in patients with CLD thereby avoiding unnecessary endoscopy. • SSM has significant diagnostic value for CSPH and SPH with high sensitivity and specificity in patients with CLD. • SSM could be used as a helpful surveillance tool for clinicians managing CLD patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hina Hanif ◽  
Sohail Ahmed Khan ◽  
Sobia Muneer ◽  
Syed Omair Adil

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in obstructive jaundice taking MRCP as gold standard. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dow Institute of Radiology (DIR), Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), Karachi from 2nd May 2018 till 2nd November 2018. Both male and female patients aged 30 to 80 years with suspected obstructive jaundice were included. Patients already diagnosed with obstructive jaundice were excluded. MRCP and ultrasound were performed in suspected patients. Diagnostic accuracy including sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of obstructive jaundice were calculated using contingency tables using MRCP findings as gold standard. Results: Mean age of the patients was 54.73 ± 12.65 years. In causes of obstruction, choledocholothiasis was responsible for 85 (35.1%), stricture 61 (25.2%), carcinoma of head of pancreas 39 (16.1%), periampullary carcinoma 21 (8.7%), cholangiocarcinoma 10 (4.1%) and gallbladder carcinoma 26 (10.7%) of the cases. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in obstructive jaundice taking MRCP findings as gold standard showed sensitivity, specificity, positive predicted value (PPV), negative predicted value (NPV) and overall diagnostic accuracy as 84.57%, 79.10%, 91.36%, 66.25% and 83.06%. Conclusion: Ultrasound has a high sensitivity, moderate specificity, and high diagnostic accuracy in diagnosis of obstructive jaundice. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1665 How to cite this:Hanif H, Khan SA, Muneer S, Adil SO. Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound in evaluation of obstructive jaundice with MRCP as gold standard. Pak J Med Sci. 2020;36(4):---------. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.36.4.1665 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyed Ali Safizadeh Shabestari ◽  
Zainab A. Malik ◽  
Fadil Y A Al-Najjar

Abstract Background: Unnecessary antibiotic prescription to patients with upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) has led to the increase in antibiotics resistant bacteria rates. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of QuickVue® Dipstick Strep A test (QV-SAT) in children presenting with acute pharyngotonsillitis and its effect on antibiotic prescribing. Methods: A single-gated diagnostic accuracy study of children with runny nose, fever, and tonsillitis presenting to a paediatric clinic between March 2016 and September 2018. Paired throat swabs for QV-SAT and culture were collected. None of the children received antibiotics prior to sample collection. Furthermore, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and likelihood ratios of the test were calculated. Results: 204 children were included in this study. 111 (54.4%) were boys and 146 (71.6%) were under the age of five years. QV-SAT was positive in 44 (21.6%) and throat culture was positive for Group A β- haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) in 42 (20.6%) of the children. The results of QV-SAT were highly consistent with culture results: only 2 (0.9%) children with negative results had a positive throat culture. The sensitivity of the QV-SAT in the identification of GAS infection was 100% (95% CI 91.6%, 100%) and the NPV was 100% (95% CI 70%, 95%). Only 42 children (21%) were given antibiotics, while 162 (79%) were not. Conclusion: The QV-SAT is a quick and reliable test which can help dramatically reduce antibiotic prescriptions to children presenting with fever and acute pharyngotonsillitis.


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