scholarly journals The diagnostic utility of the “Thwaites’ system” and “lancet consensus scoring system” in tuberculous vs. non-tuberculous subacute and chronic meningitis: multicenter analysis of 395 adult patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tarek Sulaiman ◽  
Sai Medi ◽  
Hakan Erdem ◽  
Seniha Senbayrak ◽  
Derya Ozturk-Engin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Meningitis ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Receiver Operating Curve ◽  
Chronic Meningitis ◽  
Multicenter Analysis ◽  
Consensus Scoring ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Management Challenge

Abstract Background Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) represents a diagnostic and management challenge to clinicians. The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” are utilized to differentiate TBM from bacterial meningitis but their utility in subacute and chronic meningitis where TBM is an important consideration is unknown. Methods A multicenter retrospective study of adults with subacute and chronic meningitis, defined by symptoms greater than 5 days and less than 30 days for subacute meningitis (SAM) and greater than 30 days for chronic meningitis (CM). The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” scores and the diagnostic accuracy by sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve of receiver operating curve (AUC-ROC) were calculated. The “Thwaites’ system” and “Lancet consensus scoring system” suggest a high probability of TBM with scores ≤4, and with scores of ≥12, respectively. Results A total of 395 patients were identified; 313 (79.2%) had subacute and 82 (20.8%) with chronic meningitis. Patients with chronic meningitis were more likely caused by tuberculosis and had higher rates of HIV infection (P < 0.001). A total of 162 patients with TBM and 233 patients with non-TBM had unknown (140, 60.1%), fungal (41, 17.6%), viral (29, 12.4%), miscellaneous (16, 6.7%), and bacterial (7, 3.0%) etiologies. TMB patients were older and presented with lower Glasgow coma scores, lower CSF glucose and higher CSF protein (P < 0.001). Both criteria were able to distinguish TBM from bacterial meningitis; only the Lancet score was able to differentiate TBM from fungal, viral, and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurred between the etiologies (P < .001). Both criteria showed poor diagnostic accuracy to distinguish TBM from non-TBM etiologies (AUC-ROC was <. 5), but Lancet consensus scoring system was fair in diagnosing TBM (AUC-ROC was .738), sensitivity of 50%, and specificity of 89.3%. Conclusion Both criteria can be helpful in distinguishing TBM from bacterial meningitis, but only the Lancet consensus scoring system can help differentiate TBM from meningitis caused by fungal, viral and unknown etiologies even though significant overlap occurs and the overall diagnostic accuracy of both criteria were either poor or fair.

scholarly journals Blood Procalcitonin Level as A Diagnostic Marker of Pediatric Bacterial Meningitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 846
Author(s):  
Heeyeon Kim ◽  
Yun-Ho Roh ◽  
Seo-Hee Yoon
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Meningitis ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽  
Summary Receiver Operating Characteristic ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Meningitis In Children ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Early diagnosis and treatment of bacterial meningitis in children are essential, due to the high mortality and morbidity rates. However, lumbar puncture is often difficult, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture takes time. This meta-analysis aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of blood procalcitonin for detecting bacterial meningitis in children. We conducted a systematic search on electronic databases to identify relevant studies. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were calculated, and a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were determined. Eighteen studies with 1462 children were included in the analysis. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and the DOR of blood procalcitonin for detecting bacterial meningitis were 0.87 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.78–0.93); 0.85 (95% CI: 0.75–0.91), and 35.85 (95% CI: 10.68–120.28), respectively. The AUC for blood procalcitonin was 0.921. Blood procalcitonin also showed higher diagnostic accuracy for detecting bacterial meningitis than other conventional biomarkers, including serum C-reactive protein and leukocyte count, CSF leukocyte and neutrophil count, and CSF protein and glucose levels. Blood procalcitonin can be a good supplemental biomarker with high diagnostic accuracy in detecting bacterial meningitis in children.

scholarly journals The Potential Diagnostic Accuracy of Circulating MicroRNAs for Leukemia: A Meta-Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 153303382110119
Author(s):  
Wen-Ting Zhang ◽  
Guo-Xun Zhang ◽  
Shuai-Shuai Gao
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Subgroup Analysis ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽  
Circulating Micrornas ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Background: Leukemia is a common malignant disease in the human blood system. Many researchers have proposed circulating microRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of leukemia. We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of circulating miRNAs in the diagnosis of leukemia. Methods: A comprehensive literature search (updated to October 13, 2020) in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Wanfang database and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was performed to identify eligible studies. The sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing leukemia were pooled for both overall and subgroup analysis. The meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to explore heterogeneity and Deeks’ funnel plot was used to assess publication bias. Results: 49 studies from 22 publications with a total of 3,489 leukemia patients and 2,756 healthy controls were included in this meta-analysis. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and area under the curve were 0.83, 0.92, 10.8, 0.18, 59 and 0.94, respectively. Subgroup analysis shows that the microRNA clusters of plasma type could carry out a better diagnostic accuracy of leukemia patients. In addition, publication bias was not found. Conclusions: Circulating microRNAs can be used as a promising noninvasive biomarker in the early diagnosis of leukemia.

scholarly journals The role of red cell distribution width in the differential diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia and non-transfusion dependent thalassemia patients

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pokpong Piriyakhuntorn ◽  
Adisak Tantiworawit ◽  
Thanawat Rattanathammethee ◽  
Chatree Chai-Adisaksopha ◽  
Ekarat Rattarittamrong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Microcytic Anemia ◽  
Deficiency Anemia ◽  
Operating Characteristics ◽  
Training Set ◽  
Distribution Width ◽  
Validation Set ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

This study aims to find the cut-off value and diagnostic accuracy of the use of RDW as initial investigation in enabling the differentiation between IDA and NTDT patients. Patients with microcytic anemia were enrolled in the training set and used to plot a receiving operating characteristics (ROC) curve to obtain the cut-off value of RDW. A second set of patients were included in the validation set and used to analyze the diagnostic accuracy. We recruited 94 IDA and 64 NTDT patients into the training set. The area under the curve of the ROC in the training set was 0.803. The best cut-off value of RDW in the diagnosis of NTDT was 21.0% with a sensitivity and specificity of 81.3% and 55.3% respectively. In the validation set, there were 34 IDA and 58 NTDT patients using the cut-off value of >21.0% to validate. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 84.5%, 70.6%, 83.1% and 72.7% respectively. We can therefore conclude that RDW >21.0% is useful in differentiating between IDA and NTDT patients with high diagnostic accuracy

scholarly journals Diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound elastography for differentiating benign and malignant hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiangfeng Wu ◽  
Yue Sun ◽  
Yunlai Wang ◽  
Lijing Ge ◽  
Yun Jin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Positive Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Endobronchial Ultrasound ◽  
Mediastinal Lymph Nodes ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Aims: In the present study, a meta-analysis was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) elastography for differentiating benign and malignant hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes (LNs). Material and methods: A comprehensive literature search was carried out through PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Two authors screened the papers and extracted the data independently and any discrepancies were resolved by discussion. The methodolog-ical quality of each included study was assessed by the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. Sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and area under the curve were calculated to evaluate the value of EBUS elastography for hilar and mediastinal LNs. Results: Seventeen studies with the number of 2307 LNs were included. There was significant heterogeneity across the included studies. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio for the diagnosis of hilar and mediastinal LNs by EBUS elastography were 0.90 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84-0.94), 0.78 (95% CI, 0.74-0.81), 4.1 (95% CI, 3.4-4.9), 0.12 (95% CI, 0.07-0.21) and 33 (95% CI, 17-64), respectively. Furthermore, area under the curve was calculated to be 0.86 (95% CI, 0.82-0.88). Conclusion: EBUS elastography is a valuable technology in the differentiation of benign and malignant hilar and mediastinal LNs and could provide supplementary diagnostic information during endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration. The combination of EBUS elastography and B-mode EBUS could improve the diagnostic accuracy for hilar and mediastinal LNs.

scholarly journals Diagnostic Accuracy of the Alvarado Scoring System in Patients Undergoing Appendicectomy at the University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 21-28
Author(s):  
Songiso Mutumba ◽  
◽  
J Mulundika ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Roc Curve ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Alvarado Score ◽  
Negative Case ◽  
The University

Background: The use of the Alvarado scoring system as a tool for diagnosing acute appendicitis has been associated with a reduction of negative appendicectomies. This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of the Alvarado scoring system at predicting acute appendicitis in patients undergoing appendicectomy at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH). Methods: A prospective study was done to evaluate the diagnostic value of the Alvarado score in patients undergoing appendicectomy at the UTH. Data was collected from the participants diagnosed with acute appendicitis and undergoing appendicectomy. The Alvarado scores for all the participants enrolled into the study were tabulated and correlated with the histopathology results. The sensitivity and the specificity of the Alvarado score was determined and used to construct the ROC curve using the SPSS version 20. The area under the curve was used to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Alvarado score in this study. Setting: The University Teaching Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. Results: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Alvarado score the ROC curve test was run in SPSS version 20. The results showed that the area under the curve was C=0.842 with SE=0.047 and 95% CI from 0.750 to 0.934. The area under the curve represents the probability that the Alvarado score result for a randomly chosen positive case will exceed the result for a randomly chosen negative case. It shows from the ROC that the Alvarado score is a good indicator to anticipate acute appendicitis. In other words, these results have confirmed that the Alvarado scoring system has very high predictive ability to discriminate acute appendicitis from normal appendix subjects. Conclusion: The use of the Alvarado scoring system as a tool for diagnosing acute appendicitis at UTH will reduce the rate of negative appendicectomies. This will lead to a reduction in unnecessary operations, which are a burden on the health care system.

scholarly journals A comparative study of RIPASA score and ALVARADO score in diagnosis of acute appendicitis

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 796
Author(s):  
Vamsavardhan Pasumarthi ◽  
C. P. Madhu
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Roc Curve ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Alvarado Score ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Ripasa Score

Background: The RIPASA Score is a new diagnostic scoring system developed for the diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis which showed higher sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy compared to ALVARADO Score, particularly when applied to Asian population. Not many studies have been conducted to compare RIPASA and ALVARADO scoring systems. Hence, author want to compare prospectively Alvarado and RIPASA score by applying them to the patients attending the hospital with right iliac fossa pain that could probably be acute appendicitis.Methods: A prospective analysis of 116 cases admitted with RIF pain during a 2 years period was performed. Patients between 15-60 years were scored as per Alvarado and RIPASA scoring system. Histopathological reports of the cases were collected and compared with the scores. ROC curve area analysis was performed to examine diagnostic accuracy of RIPASA and ALVARADO scores.Results: The sensitivity of ALVARADO score is estimated to be 52.08 for a cut off of 6. The specificity is 80%, positive predictive value is 92.59, negative predictive value is 25.81. The Diagnostic accuracy of ALVARADO scoring is found to be 56.9. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive values of RIPASA scoring system are 75%, 65%, 91.14%, 35.14%. The diagnostic accuracy of RIPASA score is 73.28.Conclusions: The difference in the diagnostic accuracy between ALVARADO and RIPASA scoring system is significant indicating that the RIPASA score is a much better diagnostic tool for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis. When the ROC curve was observed the area under the curve is high for RIPASA scoring system.

scholarly journals MRI-derived PRECISE scores for predicting pathologically-confirmed radiological progression in prostate cancer patients on active surveillance

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iztok Caglic ◽  
Nikita Sushentsev ◽  
Vincent J. Gnanapragasam ◽  
Evis Sala ◽  
Nadeem Shaida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Active Surveillance ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Scoring System ◽  
Lesion Size ◽  
Receiver Operating Curve ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Targeted Mri ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Objectives To assess the predictive value and correlation to pathological progression of the Prostate Cancer Radiological Estimation of Change in Sequential Evaluation (PRECISE) scoring system in the follow-up of prostate cancer (PCa) patients on active surveillance (AS). Methods A total of 295 men enrolled on an AS programme between 2011 and 2018 were included. Baseline multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) was performed at AS entry to guide biopsy. The follow-up mpMRI studies were prospectively reported by two sub-specialist uroradiologists with 10 years and 13 years of experience. PRECISE scores were dichotomized at the cut-off value of 4, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were calculated. Diagnostic performance was further quantified by using area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) which was based on the results of targeted MRI-US fusion biopsy. Univariate analysis using Cox regression was performed to assess which baseline clinical and mpMRI parameters were related to disease progression on AS. Results Progression rate of the cohort was 13.9% (41/295) over a median follow-up of 52 months. With a cut-off value of category ≥ 4, the PRECISE scoring system showed sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV for predicting progression on AS of 0.76, 0.89, 0.52 and 0.96, respectively. The AUC was 0.82 (95% CI = 0.74–0.90). Prostate-specific antigen density (PSA-D), Likert lesion score and index lesion size were the only significant baseline predictors of progression (each p < 0.05). Conclusion The PRECISE scoring system showed good overall performance, and the high NPV may help limit the number of follow-up biopsies required in patients on AS. Key Points • PRECISE scores 1–3 have high NPV which could reduce the need for re-biopsy during active surveillance. • PRECISE scores 4–5 have moderate PPV and should trigger either close monitoring or re-biopsy. • Three baseline predictors (PSA density, lesion size and Likert score) have a significant impact on the progression-free survival (PFS) time.

scholarly journals Diagnostic accuracy of Doppler ultrasound, CT and MRI in Budd Chiari syndrome: systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 93 (1109) ◽  
pp. 20190847 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pankaj Gupta ◽  
Varun Bansal ◽  
Praveen Kumar-M ◽  
Saroj K Sinha ◽  
Jayanta Samanta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Doppler Ultrasound ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽  
Budd Chiari Syndrome ◽  
Chiari Syndrome ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Ct And Mri

Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of Doppler ultrasound, CT, and MRI in the diagnosis of Budd Chiari syndrome (BCS). Methods: We performed a literature search in PubMed, Embase, and Scopus to identify articles reporting the diagnostic accuracy of Doppler ultrasound, CT, and MRI (either alone or in combination) for BCS using catheter venography or surgery as the reference standard. The quality of the included articles was assessed by using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Results: 11 studies were found eligible for inclusion. Pooled sensitivities and specificities of Doppler ultrasound were 89% [95% confidence interval (CI), 81–94%, I2 = 24.7%] and 68% (95% CI, 3–99%, I2 = 95.2%), respectively. Regarding CT, the pooled sensitivities and specificities were 89% (95% CI, 77–95%, I2 = 78.6%) and 72% (95% CI, 21–96%, I2 = 91.4%), respectively. The pooled sensitivities and specificities of MRI were 93% (95% CI, 89–96%, I2 = 10.6%) and 55% (95% CI, 5–96%, I2 = 87.6%), respectively. The pooled DOR for Doppler ultrasound, CT, and MRI were 10.19 (95% CI: 1.5, 69.2), 14.57 (95% CI: 1.13, 187.37), and 20.42 (95% CI: 1.78, 234.65), respectively. The higher DOR of MRI than that of Doppler ultrasound and CT shows the better discriminatory power. The area under the curve for MRI was 90.8% compared with 88.4% for CT and 86.6% for Doppler ultrasound. Conclusion: Doppler ultrasound, CT and MRI had high overall diagnostic accuracy for diagnosis of BCS, but substantial heterogeneity was found. Prospective studies are needed to investigate diagnostic performance of these imaging modalities. Advances in knowledge: MRI and CT have the highest meta-analytic sensitivity and specificity, respectively for the diagnosis of BCS. Also, MRI has the highest area under curve for the diagnosis of BCS.

The role of D-dimer in periprosthetic joint infection: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Diagnosis ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Balato ◽  
Cristiano De Franco ◽  
Fiamma Balboni ◽  
Vincenzo De Matteo ◽  
Tiziana Ascione ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Blood Sample ◽  
Periprosthetic Joint Infection ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Joint Infection ◽  
Negative Likelihood Ratio ◽  
Diagnostic Odds Ratio ◽  
Receiver Operating Curve ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
D Dimer

Abstract Objectives The current literature on diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) provides controversial evidence on the diagnostic accuracy of D-dimer. Therefore, this critical literature search and meta-analysis was aimed to summarize the diagnostic accuracy of D-dimer for diagnosing PJI. Content We searched MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science, for studies on D-dimer for diagnosing PJI, according to the PRISMA flowchart. QUADAS was used for assessing study quality. Sensitivity, specificity, positive (PLR) and negative likelihood ratio (NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were analyzed using bivariate diagnostic random-effects model. The area under the receiver-operating curve (AUC-ROC) was calculated. Subgroup analysis and univariate meta-regression were carried out for detecting potential sources of heterogeneity. Summary We included 12 articles, totaling 1,818 patients (539 with PJI). The pooled sensitivity and specificity of D-dimer for diagnosing PJI were 0.739 (95% CI: 0.616–0.833) and 0.785 (95% CI: 0.679–0.863). The pooled PLR, NLR, DOR were 3.359 (95% CI, 2.340–4.821), 0.295 (95% CI, 0.180–0.484), and 11.787 (95% CI, 5.785–24.018). The cumulative ROC plot displayed an AUC of 0.688 (95% CI, 0.663–0.713; p<0.001). No threshold effects could be observed. The type of blood sample was identified as possible source of heterogeneity for DOR (p=0.01). Outlook Evidence emerged from this meta-analysis suggests that D-dimer displays sufficient diagnostic accuracy to rule out PJI. The type of blood sample (plasma vs. serum) and the study design could influence the results in terms of DOR and sensitivity. However, further perspective studies would be needed to validate its potential diagnostic usefulness.

Diagnosis of asthma in children: findings from the Swiss Paediatric Airway Cohort

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (5) ◽  
pp. 2000132
Author(s):  
Carmen C.M. de Jong ◽  
Eva S.L. Pedersen ◽  
Rebeca Mozun ◽  
Dominik Müller-Suter ◽  
Anja Jochmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Respiratory Symptoms ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Specific Ige ◽  
Diagnostic Algorithms ◽  
Asthma In Children ◽  
Global Initiative ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

IntroductionDiagnosing asthma in children remains a challenge because respiratory symptoms are not specific and vary over time.AimIn a real-life observational study, we assessed the diagnostic accuracy of respiratory symptoms, objective tests and two paediatric diagnostic algorithms (proposed by the Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE)) in the diagnosis of asthma in school-aged children.MethodsWe studied children aged 5–17 years who were referred consecutively to pulmonary outpatient clinics for evaluation of suspected asthma. Symptoms were assessed by parental questionnaire. The investigations included specific IgE measurement or skin prick tests, measurement of exhaled nitric oxide fraction (FeNO), spirometry, body plethysmography and bronchodilator reversibility (BDR). Asthma was diagnosed by paediatric pulmonologists based on all available data. We assessed diagnostic accuracy of symptoms, tests and diagnostic algorithms by calculating sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV) and area under the curve (AUC).ResultsAmong 514 participants, 357 (70%) were diagnosed with asthma. The combined sensitivity and specificity was highest for any wheeze (sensitivity=75%, specificity=65%), dyspnoea (sensitivity=56%, specificity=76%) and wheeze triggered by colds (sensitivity=58%, specificity=78%) or by exercise (sensitivity=55%, specificity=74%). Of the diagnostic tests, the AUC was highest for specific total airway resistance (sRtot; AUC=0.73) and lowest for the residual volume (RV)/total lung capacity (TLC) ratio (AUC=0.56). The NICE algorithm had sensitivity=69% and specificity=67%, whereas the GINA algorithm had sensitivity=42% and specificity=90%.ConclusionThis study confirms the limited usefulness of single tests and existing algorithms for the diagnosis of asthma. It highlights the need for new and more appropriate evidence-based guidance.

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