Impact of rural versus urban setting on kidney markers: a cross-sectional study in South-Kivu, DRCongo

Abstract Background Most studies of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) have been conducted in urban settings. They relied on GFR estimated from serum creatinine alone and on the inexpensive, convenient urinary dipstick to assess proteinuria. The dipstick for proteinuria has not been directly compared with the gold standard albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) in a large-sized study in SSA. We hereby assessed the influence of rural versus urban location on the level, interpretation, and diagnostic performance of proteinuria dipstick versus ACR. Methods In a cross-sectional population-based study of CKD in both urban (n = 587) and rural (n = 730) settings in South-Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), we assessed the prevalence, performance (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value) and determinants of a positive dipstick proteinuria as compared with albuminuria (ACR). Albuminuria was subdivided into: A1 (< 30 mg/g creatinine), A2 (30 to 299 mg/g creatinine) and A3 (≥ 300 mg/g creatinine). Results The overall prevalence of positive dipstick proteinuria (≥ 1+) was 9.6 % (95 % CI, 7.9–11.3) and was higher in rural than in urban residents (13.1 % vs. 4.8 %, p < 0.001), whereas the prevalence of albuminuria (A2 or A3) was similar in both sites (6 % rural vs. 7.6 % urban, p = 0.31). In both sites, dipstick proteinuria ≥ 1 + had a poor sensitivity (< 50 %) and positive predictive value (< 11 %) for the detection of A2 or A3. The negative predictive value was 95 %. Diabetes [aOR 6.12 (1.52–24.53)] was a significant predictor of A3 whereas alkaline [aOR 7.45 (3.28–16.93)] and diluted urine [aOR 2.19 (1.35–3.57)] were the main predictors of positive dipstick proteinuria. Conclusions ACR and dipstick proteinuria have similar positivity rates in the urban site whereas, in the rural site, dipstick was 2-fold more often positive than ACR. The poor sensitivity and positive predictive value of the dipstick as compared with ACR makes it unattractive as a screening tool in community studies of CKD in SSA.

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Evaluating Specivity, Sensitivity, Positive and Negative Predictive Values of CA125 for Diagnosing Ovarian Cancer

Journal of Arak University of Medical Sciences ◽

10.32598/jams.24.2.6002.1 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 196-203

Author(s):

Elahe Fini ◽

◽

Neda Nasirian ◽

Bahram Hosein Beigy ◽

◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Tumor Marker ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Screening Test ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

Medical Community ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Predictive Values

Background and Aim: Ovarian cancer is among the most common cancers in women worldwide. CA125 is the most frequent biomarker used in the screening for ovarian cancer. CA125 has no high sensitivity and specificity as a screening test in the medical community; however, because of being simple and noninvasive, it is almost always requested for evaluation and ruling out cancer. It plays an important role in the treatment and post-treatment process, the prediction of prognosis, and the relapse of the disease. The present study aimed to determine the relationship between a high level of CA125 tumor marker and ovarian cancer by detecting spesivity, sensivity, positive and negative predictive values. Methods & Materials: In this cross-sectional study, all cases undergoing CA125 test in Velayat Hospital in 2017-1028 were evaluated for having ovarian cancer. In addition, the CA125 level was compared between healthy individuals and patients with ovarian cancer. Finally, the obtained data were analyzed using SPSS. Ethical Considerations: The present study was approved by the Qazvin University of Medical Sciences (Ethics Code: IR.QUMS.REC.1396.316). Results: In this study, 35.3% of the study participants received a definite diagnosis of ovarian cancer. Generally, CA125 values were negative in 41.8% and positive in.58.2% of the study subjects. The sensitivity of the test was measured as 80.1%, the specivity as 53.6%, the positive predictive value equaled 48.4%, and the negative predictive value was measured as 83%. There was a significant relationship between age and the presence of ovarian cancer, and serum CA125 levels. Conclusion: The present study suggested that age and the serum level of CA125 were statistically significant. Finally, CA125 levels were significantly related to ovarian cancer. It provided moderate specivity and specivity as well as low positive predictive value and high negative predictive value as a tumor marker; it is valuable for ruling out of tumor but not appropriate as a screening test.

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A study of quantitative and qualitative analysis of standardized speech samples in persons suffering from dysarthria due to various neurological disorder

International Journal of Advances in Medicine ◽

10.18203/2349-3933.ijam20204065 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (10) ◽

pp. 1527

Author(s):

Somesh Maheshwari

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Normal Population ◽

Software Tool ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Subject Variability ◽

Ataxic Dysarthria ◽

The Central Nervous System

Background: Dysarthria is manifested as a disorder of movement, it is important to recognize that sensori-motor integration (with tactile, proprioceptive, and auditory feed-back representing the crucial sensory components) is essential to speech motor control, from this standpoint, most or all dysarthria localized to the central nervous system should be thought of as sensori-motor rather than simply motor disturbances.Methods: This non-interventional, cross-sectional comparative, observational study, conducted in 100 study subjects (50 cases and 50 controls) from March 2016 to February 2017 at MGM medical college and MY hospital Indore, MP, India.Results: The mean age of normal population was 53 years and that of dysarthric population was 55 years. Among the dysarthric group, there were 10 cases of ataxic dysarthria, 23 cases of spastic dysarthria, and 9 cases of hypo kinetic dysarthria. There were 20 cases of mild dysarthria 19 cases of moderate dysarthria and 10 cases of severe dysarthria. In ataxic dysarthria, pitch break was found in 6 out of 10 subjects. It was found that there is negative predictive value 93.33%, and positive predictive value, 77.14% in spastic dysarthria and negative predictive value, 83.33% and positive predictive value, 90.90% in ataxic, whereas negative predictive value, 85.71% and positive predictive value, 95.34% in hypo kinetic dysarthria. Conclusions: Different types of dysarthria when analyzed with software tool after extracting pitch and formants showed specific patterns. These patterns correlated with the clinical diagnosis. And Pattern recognition of different dysarthria will help to identify the types of dysarthria in scientific way and prevent inter-subject variability.

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Comparison between qualitative and quantitative measurement of strength deficit in shoulder flexors of young females: a cross- sectional study

Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association ◽

10.47391/jpma.011431 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 71 (11) ◽

pp. 2559-2562

Author(s):

Saadia Perwaiz ◽

Muhammad Waqar Afzal ◽

Ghulam Fatima

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Manual Muscle Testing ◽

Primary Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Young Females ◽

Muscle Testing

Objective: To compare accuracy of manual muscle testing in detection of strength differences across grade 4 and 5 at different percentage deficits of dynamometric mean in shoulder flexors of young females. Methods: Cross sectional research design, conducting primary analysis of strength of shoulder flexors measured through manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamometer. Three hundred young healthy females without any ailment of upper extremity or generalized health problem were selected from University of South Asia and Association of Fatima Jinnah Old Graduates, Lahore. Non-probability convenient sampling technique was used. The age group selected was 18-39 years. The strength of shoulder flexors measured through manual muscle testing and hand-held dynamometer was main outcome measure. Results: The overall diagnostic accuracy of manual muscle testing showed better results at 10% dynamometric measures. It was 63.33%(95% CI: 57.74%, 68.59%) in non-dominant shoulder flexors and 61.67% (95% CI: 56.05%, 66.99%) in dominant shoulder flexors. The positive predictive value (PPV) and specificity of manual muscle testing was better at 10% strength deficit in comparison with dynamometric measures, whereas negative predictive value (NPV) and sensitivity was better at 20% strength deficit. Contrasting association was found between positive predictive value (PPV) and sensitivity, negative predictive value and specificity. Conclusion: The subjective area of grade 4 and 5 showed better, although not ideal, diagnostic worth at 10% deficit of dynamometric measures in shoulder flexors. Further exploration through study of contrasting trends between PPV and sensitivity by subgroup analysis is required. Continuous...

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EVALUATION OF LEUKOCYTE ESTERASE REAGENT STRIPS TEST IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF SPONTANEOUS BACTERIAL PERITONITIS IN CHILDREN WITH CIRRHOSIS

Arquivos de Gastroenterologia ◽

10.1590/s0004-28032015000300008 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 52 (3) ◽

pp. 195-199 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Naser HONAR ◽

Bita GERAMIZADEH ◽

Seyed-Mohsen DEHGHANI ◽

Gholamreza KALVANDI ◽

Iraj SHAHRAMIAN ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Ascitic Fluid ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis ◽

Rapid Test ◽

Dipstick Test ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Bacterial Peritonitis ◽

Strip Test

BackgroundSpontaneous bacterial peritonitis is defined as an ascetic fluid infection without an evident intra-abdominal surgically treatable source. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is one of the severe complications in patients with cirrhosis and ascites. Without early antibiotic treatment, this complication is associated with high mortality rate; therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis is necessary for survival. Leukocyte esterase reagent can rapidly diagnose the spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.ObjectiveThis study aimed to find out the diagnostic accuracy of leukocyte esterase dipstick test for the diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.MethodsA single centered hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted during July 2013 to August 2014 on children with cirrhotic liver disease and ascites who were admitted in the Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology in Nemazee Hospital affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (Iran). All patients underwent abdominal paracentesis, and the ascitic fluid was processed for cell count, leukocyte esterase reagent strip test (Combiscreen SL10) and culture. Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis was defined as having a polymorphonuclear count (PMN ≥250/m3) in ascitic fluid. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of leukocyte esterase test were calculated according to the formula.ResultsTotally, 150 ascitic fluid sample of cirrhotic male patients (53.2%) and their mean age (4.33±1.88 years) were analyzed. Biliary atresia (n=44, 29.4%) and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (n=29, 19.3%) were the most frequent etiology of cirrhosis. Also, abdominal pain (68.6%) and distension (64%) were the most common presenting complaint. Of all cases, 41patients (27.35%) were diagnosed to have spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (PMN ≥250/mm3). Sensitivity and specificity of leukocyte esterase reagent test according to PMNs ≥250mm3 were 87.80% and 91.74%, also on ascitic fluid culture results were 88.23% and 77.44%. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value of this test in PMNs ≥250mm3 were 80% and 95.23% and in cases with positive culture 33.33% and 98.09% were obtained, respectively. Efficiency of leukocyte esterase reagent test in diagnosing spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, according to PMNs ≥250mm3 and culture results were 90.66% and 78.66%.ConclusionThe leukocyte esterase strip test may be used as rapid test for diagnosis of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis due to its high diagnostic validity.

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Volume of sputum to detect acid-fast bacilli as a measure of quality for the diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital, South Africa

African Journal of Primary Health Care & Family Medicine ◽

10.4102/phcfm.v3i1.240 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Iqbal Rashid ◽

Langalibalele H. Mabuza ◽

Indiran Govender ◽

Deidre Pretorius

Keyword(s):

South Africa ◽

Pulmonary Tuberculosis ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

P Value ◽

Likelihood Ratios ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Acid Fast Bacilli

Background: Optimum sputum results for acid-fast bacilli (AFB) microscopy are linked to a sputum quantity of at least 5.0 mL. This study was aimed at establishing the effect of sputum quantity in the pick-up rate of AFB microscopy by comparing sputum samples of 5.0 mL and 2.0 mL.Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was carried out at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital (DGMH) in Pretoria, South Africa, from 05 January 2007 to 04 January 2008.Two sputum samples, 5.0 mL and 2.0 mL, were collected from each of the 330 adult PTB (pulmonary tuberculosis) suspects. Fluorescence microscopy was used in the sputum analysis. The yield through microscopy of the 2.0 mL specimen versus the 5.0 mL specimen was compared and analysed, using culture results as the gold standard.Results: From a sample of 330 specimens, 77 tested AFB positive on microscopy. In the 5.0 mL samples, the sensitivity was 76.6% (95% CI, 66.0% – 84.7%), specificity 99.6% (95% CI 97.8% – 99.9%), positive predictive value (PV+) 98.3% (95% CI 91.1% – 99.7%), negative predictive value (PV-) 93.3% (95% CI 89.7% – 95.7%), the likelihood ratio (LR) for a positive microscopy 192 and the LR for a negative test was 0.23. In the 2.0 mL specimens, the sensitivity was 75.3% (95% CI 64.6% – 83.6%), specificity 99.2% (95% CI 97.1% – 99.8%), positive predictive value (PV+) 96.7% (95% CI 88.6% – 99.1%), negative predictive value (PV-) 93.0% (95% CI 89.3% – 95.4%), the LR for a positive microscopy was 94 and 0.25 for a negative microscopy. There was a statistically significant association (p-value < 0.001) between the microscopy and culture tests in both the 5.0 mL and the 2.0 mL specimen categories. The strength of association between the microscopy and culture, as indicated by the kappa test was 0.83 and 0.81 in the 5.0 mL and 2.0 mL categories, respectively.Conclusion: Compared to the 2.0 mL specimen category, the yield for AFB microscopy in the 5.0 mL specimen category was consistently superior, as indicated by the higher sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and the likelihood ratios in the 5.0 mL specimen category. It is recommended that sputum specimen collection for AFB microscopy should aim for a minimum volume of 5.0 mL.

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Interleukin 21 as a diagnostic marker of rheumatoid arthritis.

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2019.26.08.1897 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 26 (08) ◽

pp. 1229-1232

Author(s):

Khadija Kiran ◽

Amtul Huda ◽

Zuhair Bhatti

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Diagnostic Marker ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Medical College ◽

Sensitivity Specificity

To investigate the role of IL-21 as diagnostic marker in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Physiology and Orthopedic Gujranwala Medical College, Gujranwala. Period: October 2017 to October 2018 in one year duration. Materials and Methods: A total of 150 patients were included in the study, main variables assessed in this study were positive predictive value negative predictive value, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of IL-21 in diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data. P value less than or equal to 0.05 was taken as significant. Study was started after permission from hospital ethical committee and patients were informed in detail about disease and procedure to be done. Non probability consecutive sampling was used. Results: The estimated sensitivity was 93.6%. The estimated specificity was 50%. Positive predictive value was 96.3% and negative predictive value was 35.7%. The overall accuracy was 90.6% for diagnosing rheumatoid arthritis. Conclusion: IL-21 induces MMP3 in rheumatoid arthritis patients, identification of IL-21 from synovium of patients indicates the presence of rheumatoid arthritis. We observed 90.6% diagnostic accuracy of IL-21 for rheumatoid patients taking RA factor as gold standard of diagnostic tool.

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Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin Urin sebagai Deteksi Dini Acute Kidney Injury

Sari Pediatri ◽

10.14238/sp16.3.2014.195-200 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 195

Author(s):

Siti Aizah Lawang ◽

Antonius Pudjiadi ◽

Abdul Latief

Keyword(s):

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Area Under Curve ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Neutrophil Gelatinase Associated Lipocalin ◽

Consecutive Sampling ◽

Neutrophil Gelatinase

Latar belakang. Penelitian terkini fokus pada identifikasi biomarker yang lebih dini untuk acute kidney injury (AKI). Salah satunya adalah neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL), protein 25 kDa yang merupakan potensial biomarker dini untuk AKI.Tujuan. Melihat neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) sebagai biomarker dini untuk acute kidney injury (AKI).Metode. Penelitian kualitatif dengan desain uji diagnostik. Pengambilan sampel secara cross sectional dan consecutive sampling pada 50 orang anak, terdiri atas 28 sepsis dan 22 sepsis berat di ruang rawat intensif anak di RS. Cipto Mangunkusomo Jakarta dan RS. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Makassar.Hasil. Terdapat perbedaan sangat bermakna kadar NGAL urin dan kreatinin berdasarkan beratnya sepsis (p<0,001). Nilai rerata sepsis 132,93 ng/mL dan sepsis berat 2159,98 ng/mL. Terdapat perbedaan bermakna antara beratnya AKI menurut kriteria RIFFLE dengan beratnya sepsis (p=0,013). Tidak terdapat hubungan bermakna antara kadar NGAL urin dengan kriteria RIFFLE (p=0,173). Nilai sensitifitas NGAL urin 100% dan spesifisitas 63,63%, positive predictive value 27,27%, negative predictive value 100% dan area under curve (AuOC) 0,826.Kesimpulan. Neutrophil gelatinase associated lipocalin (NGAL) dapat dipakai sebagai skrining AKI.

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Waist Circumference, Waist-to-Height Ratio and Body Mass Index as Parameters of Obesity Among Public Secondary School Students

European Journal of Medical and Health Sciences ◽

10.24018/ejmed.2020.2.4.385 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Ebelechuku Francesca Ugochukwu ◽

Chinyere Ukamaka Onubogu ◽

Kenneth Nchekwube Okeke ◽

Victoria Chikodili Ofora ◽

Chinenye MaryQueen Uju

Keyword(s):

Public Schools ◽

Secondary School ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Private School ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Secondary School Students ◽

School Students ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Public Secondary School

Background: Obesity in children is universal affecting all ethnicities, ages, gender and social classes. Public school children consist mainly of the less affluent strata of society, and consequently may not be opportuned to avail themselves of necessary public health interventions as their private school counterparts. Objective:This study aimed to determine the prevalence of obesity using various anthropometric indices and association of certain factors with obesity among public secondary school students. Methods:A cross-sectional school-based questionnaire and physical assessment of 593 students aged 10 – 17 years in public schools in Nnewi, Southeast Nigeria was carried out. Results: There were 289 boys and 304 girls, giving an approximate ratio of 1:1. Most of the students were from the middle and lower socio-economic levels. Girls were physically less active and consumed more junk food than the boys. The mean weight and height varied significantly with age in males, females and both sexes combined together (p <0.001). In general, girls were heavier than boys, while the boys were slightly taller than the girls. Age varied significantly with BMI (P<0.001 for girls and boys), WC (P<0.001 for girls and boys) and WHtR (p=0.034 for boys and 0.024 for girls). BMI performed better than WC and WHtR in identifying children with obesity. When compared with BMI, WC had a sensitivity of 5.2% and a specificity of 100.0% with a positive predictive value of 100.0% and a negative predictive value of 90.7%. WHtR had a sensitivity of 31.0% and a specificity of 99.8% with a positive predictive value of 94.7% and a negative predictive value of 93.0%. BMI had a strong correlation with both WC and WHtR although correlation was stronger with WC (R=704) compared to WHR (R=641). Among the students 9.8% were in the obese/overweight group, made up of 96.6% females, out of which 64.1% were older adolescents aged 15-17 years. Reduced physical activity played a major role in enhancing obesity/overweight, while socio-economic level and diet did not. After logistic regression analysis, age and sex remained significantly associated with being overweight or obese. The odds of being overweight or obese was 32 times in females compared to males and twice in in late adolescence compared to early adolescence. Conclusion: The obesity/overweight of older adolescent public secondary school girls buttress the importance of physical exercises in curbing obesity. Although easier to perform and very specific, WC and WHtR seemed to miss many adolescents with obesity when compared to BMI. Therefore, a combination of these indices is recommended while screening adolescents for obesity.

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Evaluation of the Accuracy of Human Kallikrein6, Cancer Antigen125, and Human Epididymis 4 in Predicting Ovarian Cancer

Indonesian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology ◽

10.32771/inajog.v5i2.530 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 110

Author(s):

Yongki Wenas ◽

Ketut Suwiyoga ◽

I Nyoman H Sanjaya

Keyword(s):

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Cancer Antigen 125 ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Human Epididymis ◽

Sensitivity Specificity ◽

Histopathology Examination

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy of hK6, HE4, and CA125 in predicting the malignancy of ovarian mass. Methods: The design of this study was cross-sectional. This study was conducted in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic, Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar, between the period of September 2014 and August 2016. Samples were all patients with ovarian tumors who underwent surgery at Sanglah Hospital, Denpasar. Data analysis was performed using McNemar and chi square test in SPSS for windows version 17.0. Results: 22 samples were obtained. P > 0.05 value of age and parity variables indicated no differences between the two groups. There is no accuracy differences (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value) of hK6 compared to histopathology examination in diagnosing ovarian cancer (p = 1). There is no accuracy differences (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value) of HE4 compared to histopathology examination in diagnosing ovarian cancer (p = 1). There is no accuracy difference (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value) of CA125 compared to histopathology examination in diagnosing ovarian cancer (p = 0.687). Conclusion: There was no accuracy differences (sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value) found between hK6, CA125, HE4 compared to histopathology examination in predicting ovarian cancer. [Indones J Obstet Gynecol 2017; 5-2: 110-113] Keywords: cancer antigen 125, human epididymis-4, human kallikrein 6, ovarian cancer

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Thrombocytopenia as a Diagnostic Marker for Malaria in Patients with Acute Febrile Illness

Journal of Tropical Medicine ◽

10.1155/2021/5585272 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-6

Author(s):

Angesom Gebreweld ◽

Yonas Erkihun ◽

Daniel Getacher Feleke ◽

Gebru Hailu ◽

Temesgen Fiseha

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Diagnostic Marker ◽

Complete Blood Count ◽

Febrile Illness ◽

Severe Thrombocytopenia ◽

Acute Febrile Illness ◽

Roc Curve Analysis ◽

Cross Sectional

Background. Thrombocytopenia is the most common hematological abnormality in patients with acute malaria. This study aimed to determine the role of thrombocytopenia as a diagnostic marker for malaria in patients with acute febrile illness. Method. A cross-sectional health facility-based study was conducted on 423 consecutively selected acute febrile patients at Ataye District Hospital from February to May 2019 GC. A complete blood count and malaria microscopy were performed for each acute febrile patient. ROC curve analysis was performed to calculate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of platelet count in predicting malaria. A P ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result. Out of the 423 acute febrile patients, 73 (17.3%) were microscopically confirmed malaria cases and the rest 350 (82.7%) patients had negative blood film results. Of the microscopically confirmed malaria cases, 55 (75.34%) were P. vivax and 18 (24.66%) were P. falciparum. The prevalence of thrombocytopenia among malaria patients (79.5%) was significantly higher than those in malaria negative acute febrile patients (13.7%), P < 0.001. About 67% malaria-infected patients had mild to moderate thrombocytopenia and 12.3% had severe thrombocytopenia. The ROC analysis demonstrated platelet counts <150,000/μl as an optimal cutoff value with 0.893 area under the curve, 79.5% sensitivity, 86.3% specificity, 95.3% negative predictive value, and 54.7% positive predictive value to predict malaria. Conclusion. Malaria is still among the major public health problems in the country. Thrombocytopenia is a very good discriminatory test for the presence or absence of malaria with 79.5% sensitivity and 86.3% specificity. Therefore, this may be used in addition to the clinical and microscopic parameters to heighten the suspicion of malaria.

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