Evaluating Diagnostic Tests

1993 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-69 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.W. Douglass
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Scientific Support ◽  
Body Of Knowledge ◽  
Efficacy Parameters ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

The presentations at this conference will discuss new technologies and rapid scientific developments that have resulted in new diagnostic tests for periodontal disease, musculoskeletal imaging, temporomandibular joint dysfunctions, and incipient coronal and root dental caries. However, for many of these claims, there has been insufficient scientific support regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the tests, or their ability to predict the percent of cases in which the disease or condition progresses to the next state of development. Research is needed that will yield the basic diagnostic parameters of new diagnostic tests, i.e., their accuracy, precision, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value. The purpose and methods for calculating each of these measures are described in this paper. Five questions are then presented that will need to be addressed in future research regarding new diagnostic tests: (1) Does the scientific theory of the test fit with our current body of knowledge? (2) Have the efficacy parameters of the test been reliably determined? (3) How does the test affect clinical decision-making? (4) Does using the test improve the patient's health? and (5) Is the added expense of the test justified by increased effectiveness or by avoiding other health expenditures?

Clinical Epidemiology

2016 ◽  
pp. 285-290
Author(s):  
Scott C. Litin ◽  
John B. Bundrick
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Test ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Epidemiology ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Specific Patient ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Test Sensitivity ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Diagnostic tests are tools that either increase or decrease the likelihood of disease. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values of normal and abnormal test results can be calculated with even a limited amount of information. Some physicians prefer interpreting diagnostic test results by using the likelihood ratio. This ratio takes properties of a diagnostic test (sensitivity and specificity) and makes them more helpful in clinical decision making. It helps the clinician determine the probability of disease in a specific patient after a diagnostic test has been performed.

scholarly journals Use of β-D-glucan in diagnosis of suspected Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia in adults with HIV infection

2021 ◽  
pp. 095646242110222
Author(s):  
Thomas Juniper ◽  
Chris P Eades ◽  
Eliza Gil ◽  
Harriet Fodder ◽  
Killian Quinn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Elevated Serum ◽  
Clinical Information ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Pneumocystis Pneumonia ◽  
Pneumocystis Jirovecii Pneumonia ◽  
Alternative Diagnosis ◽  
Positive Threshold ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Objectives: An elevated serum (1-3)-β-D-glucan (BDG) concentration has high sensitivity for a diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) in people with HIV (PWH). At the current manufacturer-recommended positive threshold of 80 pg/mL (Fungitell), specificity for PCP is variable and other diagnostic tests are required. We evaluated the utility of serum BDG for diagnosis of suspected PCP in PWH at three inner-London hospitals to determine BDG concentrations for diagnosis and exclusion of PCP. Methods: From clinical case records, we abstracted demographic and clinical information and categorised patients as having confirmed or probable PCP, or an alternative diagnosis. We calculated sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of serum BDG concentrations >400 pg/mL and negative predictive value (NPV) of BDG <80 pg/mL. Results: 76 patients were included; 29 had laboratory-confirmed PCP, 17 had probable PCP and 30 had an alternative diagnosis. Serum BDG >400 pg/mL had a sensitivity of 83%, specificity of 97% and PPV 97% for diagnosis of PCP; BDG <80 pg/mL had 100% NPV for exclusion of PCP. Conclusions: In PWH with suspected PCP, BDG <80 pg/mL excludes a diagnosis of PCP, whereas BDG concentrations >400 pg/mL effectively confirm the diagnosis. Values 80–400 pg/mL should prompt additional diagnostic tests.

scholarly journals A day in the life: a qualitative study of clinical decision-making and uptake of neurorehabilitation technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Courtney Celian ◽  
Veronica Swanson ◽  
Maahi Shah ◽  
Caitlin Newman ◽  
Bridget Fowler-King ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Relative Advantage ◽  
Personal Attributes ◽  
Design Work ◽  
Cognitive Limitations ◽  
Knowledge And Beliefs ◽  
Cord Injury

Abstract Background Neurorehabilitation engineering faces numerous challenges to translating new technologies, but it is unclear which of these challenges are most limiting. Our aim is to improve understanding of rehabilitation therapists’ real-time decision-making processes on the use of rehabilitation technology (RT) in clinical treatment. Methods We used a phenomenological qualitative approach, in which three OTs and two PTs employed at a major, technology-encouraging rehabilitation hospital wrote vignettes from a written prompt describing their RT use decisions during treatment sessions with nine patients (4 with stroke, 2 traumatic brain injury, 1 spinal cord injury, 1 with multiple sclerosis). We then coded the vignettes using deductive qualitative analysis from 17 constructs derived from the RT literature and the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR). Data were synthesized using summative content analysis. Results Of the constructs recorded, the five most prominent are from CFIR determinants of: (i) relative advantage, (ii) personal attributes of the patients, (iii) clinician knowledge and beliefs of the device/intervention, (iv) complexity of the devices including time and setup, and (v) organizational readiness to implement. Therapists characterized candidate RT as having a relative disadvantage compared to conventional treatment due to lack of relevance to functional training. RT design also often failed to consider the multi-faceted personal attributes of the patients, including diagnoses, goals, and physical and cognitive limitations. Clinicians’ comfort with RT was increased by their previous training but was decreased by the perceived complexity of RT. Finally, therapists have limited time to gather, setup, and use RT. Conclusions Despite decades of design work aimed at creating clinically useful RT, many lack compatibility with clinical translation needs in inpatient neurologic rehabilitation. New RT continue to impede the immediacy, versatility, and functionality of hands-on therapy mediated treatment with simple everyday objects.

scholarly journals Eotaxins and Their Receptor as Biomarkers of Colorectal Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. 2675
Author(s):  
Monika Zajkowska ◽  
Agnieszka Kulczyńska-Przybik ◽  
Maciej Dulewicz ◽  
Kamil Safiejko ◽  
Marcin Juchimiuk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Colorectal Cancer ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Diagnostic Utility ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Serum Concentrations ◽  
Chemiluminescent Microparticle Immunoassay ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Immunoenzymatic Assay

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common malignancies. Despite the availability of diagnostic tests, an increasing number of new cases is observed. That is why it is very important to search new markers that would show high diagnostic utility. Therefore, we made an attempt to assess the usefulness of eotaxins, as there are few studies that investigate their significance, in patients with CRC. The study included 80 subjects (CRC patients and healthy volunteers). Serum concentrations of all eotaxins were measured using a multiplexing method (Luminex), while CCR3 was measured by immunoenzymatic assay (ELISA). CRP levels were determined by immunoturbidimetry and classical tumor marker levels (CEA and CA 19-9) and were measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). The highest usefulness among the proteins tested showed CCR3. Its concentrations were significantly higher in the CRC group than in healthy controls. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value, and the area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CCR3 were higher than those of CA 19-9. The maximum values for sensitivity, negative predictive value, and AUC were obtained for a combination of CCR3 and CRP. Our findings suggest the potential usefulness of CCR3 in the diagnosis of CRC, especially in combination with CRP or CEA.

Abstract W P266: A Simple Score for Prediction of Outcome after Cerebral Venous Thrombosis

Stroke ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel A Barboza ◽  
Erwin Chiquete ◽  
Antonio Arauz ◽  
Jonathan Colín ◽  
Alejandro Quiroz-Compean ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis ◽  
Goodness Of Fit ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Classification Systems ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards Model

Background and purpose: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) not always implies a good prognosis. There is a need for robust and simple classification systems of severity after CVT that help in clinical decision-making. Methods: We studied 467 patients (81.6% women, median age: 29 years, interquartile range: 22-38 years) with CVT who were hospitalized from 1980 to 2014 in two third-level referral hospitals. Bivariate analyses were performed to select variables associated with 30-day mortality to integrate a further multivariate analysis. The resultant model was evaluated with the Hosmer-Lemeshow test for goodness of fit, and on Cox proportional hazards model for reliability of the effect size. After the scale was configured, security and validity were tested for 30-day mortality and modified Rankin scale (mRS) >2. The prognostic performance was compared with that of the CVT risk score (CVT-RS, 0-6 points) as the reference system. Results: The 30-day case fatality rate was 8.7%. The CVT grading scale (CVT-GS, 0-9 points) was integrated by stupor/coma (4 points), parenchymal lesion >6 cm (2 points), mixed (superficial and deep systems) CVT (1 point), meningeal syndrome (1 point) and seizures (1 point). CVT-GS was categorized into mild (0-3 points, 1.1% mortality), moderate (4-6 points, 19.6% mortality) and severe (7-9 points, 61.4% mortality). For 30-day mortality prediction, as compared with CVT-RS (cut-off 4 points), CVT-GS (cut-off 5 points) was globally better in sensitivity (85% vs 37%), specificity (90% vs 95%), positive predictive value (44% vs 40%), negative predictive value (98% vs 94%), and accuracy (94% vs 80%). For 30-day mRS >2 the performance of CVT-GS over CVT-RS was comparably improved. Conclusion: The CVT-GS is a simple and reliable score for predicting outcome that may help in clinical decision-making and that could be used to stratify patients recruited into clinical trials.

scholarly journals Challenges in treatment of renal echinococcosis with gross hydatiduria and unsalvageable kidney: a case report

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameera Shuaibi ◽  
Abdelrahman AlAshqar ◽  
Munirah Alabdulhadi ◽  
Wasl Al-Adsani
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Scientific Evidence ◽  
Renal Involvement ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Response To Treatment ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Positive Serology ◽  
Grape Skin

Abstract Introduction Renal echinococcosis is of rare occurrence, and although often asymptomatic, it can present with various mild to drastic presentations, of which hydatiduria is pathognomonic. Diagnosis can be preliminarily established by imaging, and treatment is primarily surgical. We present a patient with renal echinococcosis treated successfully with exclusive antiparasitic pharmacotherapy after refusing surgery despite extensive renal involvement. We hope through this report to help establish future solid guidelines regarding this uncommon therapeutic approach. Case presentation This is a case of a 49-year-old Syrian shepherd presenting with flank pain and passage of grape-skin-like structures in urine. A diagnosis of renal echinococcosis with hydatiduria and significant parenchymal destruction was established based on exposure history, positive serology, imaging findings, and renal scintigraphy. After proper counseling, the patient refused nephrectomy and was therefore started on dual pharmacotherapy (albendazole and praziquantel) and is having an uneventful follow-up and a satisfactory response to treatment. Conclusion This case embodies the daily challenges physicians navigate as they uphold the ethical principles of their practice and support their patients’ autonomy while delivering the best standards of care and consulting the scientific evidence. Although surgery is the cornerstone of renal echinococcosis treatment, treating physicians should be prepared to tackle situations where surgery cannot be done and offer the best next available option for patients who refuse surgery. As data on exclusive pharmacotherapy are limited, future research should thoroughly investigate the efficacy of this uncommon approach and outline reliable recommendations, facilitating future clinical decision-making in this avenue.

scholarly journals CT-Based Radiomics Analysis for Preoperative Diagnosis of Pancreatic Mucinous Cystic Neoplasm and Atypical Serous Cystadenomas

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiansong Xie ◽  
Xuanyi Wang ◽  
Zehua Zhang ◽  
Zhengrong Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Cross Validation ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Cystic Neoplasm ◽  
Cystic Neoplasms ◽  
Serous Cystadenomas ◽  
Radiological Model ◽  
Fold Cross Validation

ObjectivesTo investigate the value of CT-based radiomics analysis in preoperatively discriminating pancreatic mucinous cystic neoplasms (MCN) and atypical serous cystadenomas (ASCN).MethodsA total of 103 MCN and 113 ASCN patients who underwent surgery were retrospectively enrolled. A total of 764 radiomics features were extracted from preoperative CT images. The optimal features were selected by Mann-Whitney U test and minimum redundancy and maximum relevance method. The radiomics score (Rad-score) was then built using random forest algorithm. Radiological/clinical features were also assessed for each patient. Multivariable logistic regression was used to construct a radiological model. The performance of the Rad-score and the radiological model was evaluated using 10-fold cross-validation for area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and accuracy.ResultsTen screened optimal features were identified and the Rad-score was then built based on them. The radiological model was built based on four radiological/clinical factors. In the 10-fold cross-validation, the Rad-score was proved to be robust and reliable (average AUC: 0.784, sensitivity: 0.847, specificity: 0.745, PPV: 0.767, NPV: 0.849, accuracy: 0.793). The radiological model performed slightly less well in classification (average AUC: average AUC: 0.734 sensitivity: 0.748, specificity: 0.705, PPV: 0.732, NPV: 0.798, accuracy: 0.728.ConclusionsThe CT-based radiomics analysis provided promising performance for preoperatively discriminating MCN from ASCN and showed good potential in improving diagnostic power, which may serve as a novel tool for guiding clinical decision-making for these patients.

scholarly journals New technologies in breast cancer detection – contrast enhanced dual-energy spectral mammography

2019 ◽  
pp. 49-61
Author(s):  
A. V. Chernaya ◽  
S. N. Novikov ◽  
P. V. Krivorotko ◽  
R. Kh. Ulyanova ◽  
V. V. Danilov
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Digital Mammography ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Dual Energy ◽  
Post Contrast ◽  
Morphological Studies ◽  
Contrast Enhanced ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Purpose: to study the possibilities of contrast enhanced dual-energy spectral mammography (CESM) in the diagnostics of malignant tumors in the breast.Material and methods. Forty-seven patients with suspicious for breast cancer (BC) lesions underwent CESM. Digital mammography (MMG) and post-contrast images were correlated with the results of path morphological studies after surgery or puncture biopsy was performed.Results. Sensitivity, specificity and overall accuracy in the diagnostics of breast cancer were 83.3%, 85.7%, 85.1% for digital mammography and 91.6%, 91.4%, 91.4% for CESM, respectively. The positive predictive value was 66.6% for digital MMG and 78.5% for CESM. The negative predictive value (NPV) was 96.9% for the CESM and exceeded NPV of the digital MMG, which was 93.7%.Conclusion. Thus, these findings suggest that CESM is an effective method for the diagnostics of malignant tumors in the breast.

scholarly journals ACADEMIA’S ROLE TO DRIVE CHANGE IN THE ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS PROFESSION

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Géza Kogler ◽  
Christopher Hovorka
Keyword(s):  
Technology Use ◽  
Clinical Training ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
The United States ◽  
Academic Program ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Curricular Emphasis

This position paper outlines the important role of academia in shaping the orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) profession and preparing for its future. In the United States, most healthcare professions including O&P are under intense pressure to provide cost effective treatments and quantifiable health outcomes. Pivotal changes are needed in the way O&P services are provided to remain competitive. This will require the integration of new technologies and data driven processes that have the potential to streamline workflows, reduce errors and inform new methods of clinical care and device manufacturing. Academia can lead this change, starting with a restructuring in academic program curricula that will enable the next generation of professionals to cope with multiple demands such as the provision of services for an increasing number of patients by a relatively small workforce of certified practitioners delivering these services at a reduced cost, with the expectation of significant, meaningful, and measurable value. Key curricular changes will require replacing traditional labor-intensive and inefficient fabrication methods with the integration of newer technologies (i.e., digital shape capture, digital modeling/rectification and additive manufacturing). Improving manufacturing efficiencies will allow greater curricular emphasis on clinical training and education – an area that has traditionally been underemphasized. Providing more curricular emphasis on holistic patient care approaches that utilize systematic and evidence-based methods in patient assessment, treatment planning, dosage of O&P technology use, and measurement of patient outcomes is imminent. Strengthening O&P professionals’ clinical decision-making skills and decreasing labor-intensive technical fabrication aspects of the curriculum will be critical in moving toward a digital and technology-centric practice model that will enable future practitioners to adapt and survive. Article PDF Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/36673/28349 How To Cite: Kogler GF, Hovorka CF. Academia’s role to drive change in the orthotics and prosthetics profession. Canadian Prosthetics & Orthotics Journal. 2021; Volume 4, Issue 2, No.21. https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v4i2.36673 Corresponding Author: Géza F. KoglerOrthotics and Prosthetics Unit, Kennesaw State University.E-Mail: [email protected] ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0212-5520

Likelihood Ratio, Skull Roentgenograms, and Clinical Decision-Making

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1983 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 673-674
Author(s):  
JOHN C. LEONIDAS ◽  
ANNA BINKIEWICZ ◽  
R. MICHAEL SCOTT ◽  
STEPHEN G. PAUKER
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Clinical Finding ◽  
Posterior Probability ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Skull Fracture ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Negative Finding ◽  
The Individual

In Reply.— We appreciate the thoughtful comments of Leventhal and Lembo and concur with their conclusion that the clinician needs to know "the probability of skull fracture in a patient with head trauma." Unfortunately, their proposed "clinical likelihood ratio" (CR) will not further that end because it compares the predictive value (or, more precisely, the posterior probability) of a skull fracture after a positive clinical finding to the posterior probability after a negative finding. After the patient has been examined, the patient does not have both findings; thus, the CR cannot apply to the individual patient.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document