scholarly journals Purines for Rapid Identification of Stroke Mimics (PRISM): study protocol for a diagnostic accuracy study

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Shaw ◽  
Sara Graziadio ◽  
Clare Lendrem ◽  
Nicholas Dale ◽  
Gary A. Ford ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Rapid treatment of stroke improves outcomes, but accurate early recognition can be challenging. Between 20 and 40% of patients suspected to have stroke by ambulance and emergency department staff later receive a non-stroke ‘mimic’ diagnosis after stroke specialist investigation. This early diagnostic uncertainty results in displacement of mimic patients from more appropriate services, inappropriate demands on stroke specialist resources and delayed access to specialist therapies for stroke patients. Blood purine concentrations rise rapidly during hypoxic tissue injury, which is a key mechanism of damage during acute stroke but is not typical in mimic conditions. A portable point of care fingerprick test has been developed to measure blood purine concentration which could be used to triage patients experiencing suspected stroke symptoms into those likely to have a non-stroke mimic condition and those likely to have true stroke. This study is evaluating test performance for identification of stroke mimic conditions. Methods Design: prospective observational cohort study Setting: regional UK ambulance and acute stroke services Participants: a convenience series of two populations will be tested: adults with a label of suspected stroke assigned (and tested) by attending ambulance personnel and adults with a label of suspected stroke assigned at hospital (who have not been tested by ambulance staff). Index test: SMARTChip Purine assay Reference standard tests: expert clinician opinion informed by brain imaging and/or other investigations will assign the following diagnoses which constitute the suspected stroke population: ischaemic stroke, haemorrhagic stroke, TIA and stroke mimic conditions. Sample size: ambulance population (powered for mimic sensitivity) 935 participants; hospital population (powered for mimic specificity) 377 participants. Analyses: area under the receiver operating curve (ROC) and optimal sensitivity, specificity, and negative and positive predictive values for identification of mimic conditions. Optimal threshold for the ambulance population will maximise sensitivity, minimum 80%, and aim to keep specificity above 70%. Optimal threshold for the hospital population will maximise specificity, minimum 80%, and aim to keep sensitivity above 70%. Discussion The results from this study will determine how accurately the SMARTChip purine assay test can identify stroke mimic conditions within the suspected stroke population. If acceptable performance is confirmed, deployment of the test in ambulances or emergency departments could enable more appropriate direction of patients to stroke or non-stroke services. Trial registration Registered with ISRCTN (identifier: ISRCTN22323981) on 13/02/2019 http://www.isrctn.com/ISRCTN22323981

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. e1.1-e1
Author(s):  
Graham McClelland ◽  
Darren Flynn ◽  
Helen Rodgers ◽  
Chris Price

BackgroundStroke mimics (SM) are non-stroke conditions producing similar symptoms to stroke. Prehospital stroke identification tools prioritise sensitivity over specificity, therefore >25% of prehospital suspected stroke patients are SM. Failure to identify SM Results in inefficient use of ambulances and specialist stroke services. We developed a pragmatic tool for paramedics, using information often available in the prehospital setting, to identify SM amongst suspected stroke patients.MethodsThe initial tool was developed using a systematic literature review to identify SM characteristics, a survey of UK paramedics to explore the acceptability of SM identification and regression analysis of clinical variables documented in ambulance records of suspected stroke patients linked to their primary hospital diagnoses (n=1,650, 40% SM).The initial tool was refined using two focus groups with paramedics (n=3) and hospital clinicians (n=9) and analysis of an expanded prehospital dataset (n=3,797, 41% SM) to produce the final STEAM tool.ResultsSTEAM scores six variables:1 point for Systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg1 point for Temperature >38.5°C with heart rate >90 bpm1 point for seizures or 2 points for seizures with diagnosed Epilepsy1 point for Age <40 years or 2 points for age <30 years1 point for headache with diagnosed Migraine1 point for FAST–veA score of ≥2 on STEAM predicted SM diagnosis in the expanded derivation dataset with 5.5% sensitivity, 99.6% specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) of 91.4%. STEAM was validated using an external dataset (n=1,848, 33% SM) of prehospital suspected stroke patients where STEAM was 5.5% sensitive, 99.4% specific with a PPV of 82.5%.ConclusionsSTEAM uses common clinical characteristics to identify a small number of SM patients with a high level of certainty. The benefits of reducing SM admissions to specialist stroke services should be weighed against delayed admission for the small number of stroke patients identified as a SM.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Ming Tu ◽  
Guan Zhong Tan ◽  
Seyed Ehsan Saffari ◽  
Chee Keong Wee ◽  
David Jeremiah Ming Siang Chee ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Acute ischemic stroke is a time-sensitive emergency where accurate diagnosis is required promptly. Due to time pressures, stroke mimics, whom present with similar signs and symptoms as acute ischemic stroke, pose a diagnostic challenge to the emergency physician. With limited access to investigative tools, clinical prediction tools, based only on clinical features, may be useful to identify stroke mimics. We aim to externally validate the performance of 4 stroke mimic prediction scales and aim to derive a novel decision tree, to improve identification of stroke mimics. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study at a primary stroke centre, served by a telestroke hub. We included consecutive patients whom were administered intravenous thrombolysis for suspected acute ischemic stroke from January 2015 to October 2017. Four stroke mimic prediction tools (FABS, simplified FABS, Telestroke Mimic Score and Khan Score) were rated simultaneously, using only clinical information prior to administration of thrombolysis. The final diagnosis was ascertained by an independent stroke neurologist. Area under receiver operating curve (AUROC) analysis was performed. A classification tree analysis was also conducted using variables which were found to be significant in the univariate analysis. Results Telestroke Mimic Score had the highest discrimination for stroke mimics among the 4 scores tested (AUROC = 0.75, 95% CI = 0.63–0.87), although it was not statistically significantly better. Telestroke Mimic Score had the highest sensitivity (91.3%), while Khan score had the highest specificity (88.2%). All 4 scores had high positive predictive value (88.1–97.5%) and low negative predictive values (4.7–32.3%). A novel decision tree, using only age, presence of migraine and psychiatric history, had a higher prediction performance (AUROC = 0.80). Conclusion Four tested stroke mimic prediction scales performed similarly well to identify stroke mimics in the emergency setting. A novel decision tree may improve the identification of stroke mimics.


2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (8) ◽  
pp. 3008-3013
Author(s):  
Silvia Maria Stoicescu ◽  
Ramona Mohora ◽  
Monica Luminos ◽  
Madalina Maria Merisescu ◽  
Gheorghita Jugulete ◽  
...  

Difficulties in establishing the onset of neonatal sepsis has directed the medical research in recent years to the possibility of identifying early biological markers of diagnosis. Overdiagnosing neonatal sepsis leads to a higher rate and duration in the usage of antibiotics in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), which in term leads to a rise in bacterial resistance, antibiotherapy complications, duration of hospitalization and costs.Concomitant analysis of CRP (C Reactive Protein), procalcitonin, complete blood count, presepsin in newborn babies with suspicion of early or late neonatal sepsis. Presepsin sensibility and specificity in diagnosing neonatal sepsis. The study group consists of newborns admitted to Polizu Neonatology Clinic between 15th February- 15th July 2017, with suspected neonatal sepsis. We analyzed: clinical manifestations and biochemical markers values used for diagnosis of sepsis, namely the value of CRP, presepsin and procalcitonin on the onset day of the disease and later, according to evolution. CRP values may be influenced by clinical pathology. Procalcitonin values were mainly influenced by the presence of jaundice. Presepsin is the biochemical marker with the fastest predictive values of positive infection. Presepsin can be a useful tool for early diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and can guide the antibiotic treatment. Presepsin value is significantly higher in neonatal sepsis compared to healthy newborns (939 vs 368 ng/mL, p [ 0.0001); area under receiver operating curve (AUC) for presepsine was 0.931 (95% confidence interval 0.86-1.0). PSP has a greater sensibility and specificity compared to classical sepsis markers, CRP and PCT respectively (AUC 0.931 vs 0.857 vs 0.819, p [ 0.001). The cut off value for presepsin was established at 538 ng/mLwith a sensibility of 79.5% and a specificity of 87.2 %. The positive predictive value (PPV) is 83.8 % and negative predictive value (NPV) is 83.3%.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Mahran ◽  
Mohammed Khairy ◽  
Reham Elkhateeb ◽  
Abdel Rahman Hegazy ◽  
Ayman Abdelmeged ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The clinical implication of the increased serum progesterone level on the day of HCG administration in assisted reproduction treatment (ART) is still controversial. The current study aimed to compare the predictive value of serum progesterone on day of HCG administration / metaphase II oocyte (P/MII) ratio on IVF/ ICSI outcome to serum progesterone (P) level alone and the ratio of serum progesterone/estradiol level (P/E2) ratio in prediction of pregnancy rates after ART. Material & methods Two hundred patients admitted to the IVF/ICSI program at Minia IVF center in Egypt in the period from October 2016 to May 2018 were included in this study. Serum Progesterone (P) and Estradiol (E2) levels were estimated on the day of HCG administration. The ratio between serum P and the number of MII oocytes (P/MII ratio) was calculated and the predictive values of the three parameters (P, P/E2 ratio and P/MII ratio) in prediction of cycle outcomes were measured. Results P/ MII oocyte ratio was significantly lower in patients who attained clinical pregnancy (n = 97) as compared with those who couldn’t whilst there was no significant difference in P and P/E2 ratio between the two groups. Using a cut off value of 0.125, the sensitivity and specificity of progesterone/ MII ratio in prediction of no pregnancy in IVF/ICSI were 75.7 and 77.1% respectively with the area under The Receiver operating curve (ROC-AUC) = 0.808. The respective values of the ROC-AUC for the P and P/E2 ratio were 0.651 and 0.712 with sensitivity and specificity of 71.2 and 73.5%for P level and of 72.5 and 75.3% for P/E2 ratio. Implantation or clinical pregnancy rates were significantly different between patients with high and low P/MII ratio irrespective of day of embryo transfer (day 3 or 5). Conclusions In patients with normal ovarian response, serum progesterone on day of HCG / MII oocyte ratio can be a useful predictor of pregnancy outcomes and in deciding on freezing of all embryos for later transfer instead of high progesterone level alone.


2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 700.1-701
Author(s):  
N. Del Papa ◽  
F. Pignataro ◽  
W. Maglione ◽  
A. Minniti ◽  
D. Sambataro ◽  
...  

Background:Nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) is a feasible method that allows the observation and follow-up of the microvascular changes that mark the course of Systemic Sclerosis (SSc). In previous studies, we demonstrated that the NEMO score, namely the cumulative Number of microhaEMOrrhages and microthromboses, is a good indicator of the steady state level and over time changes of disease activity (DA) in SSc (1-3).Objectives:To verify whether a high NEMO score, and then a high level of active microvascular derangement in the fingers may be predictive of the subsequent development of ischemic digital ulcers (IDUs).Methods:The NEMO score was assessed at baseline (T0) in 98 patients affected by SSc, according to the ACR-EULAR criteria. Out of them, 90 were females, 48 had the limited form and 50 the diffuse cutaneous variant of SSc. ACA and anti-Scl-70 antibodies were positive in 42 and 50 patients, respectively. The NVC pattern was early, active and late in 16, 42 and 40 patients, respectively.Afterwards, patients were closely followed up for 3 years, and the appearance of new IDUs was recorded in any time of the follow up.The T0-NEMO score values of patients who developed IDUs were compared to those of patients who did not. A receiver operating curve (ROC) was constructed, and the area under the curve (AUC) calculated, by plotting the sensitivity and 1-specificity of the different NEMO score values in predicting the development of IDUs.Results:During the follow up, 38 out of 98 patients developed one or more DUs. The NEMO score at T0 was significantly higher in those who developed IDUs with respect to those who did not [median 14.5 (CI 11.0-21.5), and 4.5 (CI 4.0-6.0), respectively, p<.0001]. The AUC was 0.79 (CI 0.69-0.86, p<0.0001). A NEMO score of 12 or more had a sensitivity of 83.3 (CI 71.5-91.7), and a specificity of 63.2 (CI 46.0-78.2), with positive (P) and negative (N) predictive values (PV) of 59.1 (CI 44.9-72.3), and 85.6 (CI 71.7-94.3), respectively. A NEMO score of 16 or more had a sensitivity of 95.0 (CI 86.1-99.0), and a NPV of 93.3 (CI 77.4-99.2).Conclusion:NEMO score is not only a valid tool to assess the level of DA in the course of SSc, but this NVC parameter could also be used as a good predictor of the future development of IDUs in patients with this disease.References:[1]Sambataro et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2014;16:462-69[2]Andracco et al. Arthritis Res Ther 2017;19:133-41[3]Pignataro et al. Arthritis Res Ther. 2019;21(1):258Disclosure of Interests:Nicoletta Del Papa: None declared, Francesca Pignataro: None declared, Wanda Maglione: None declared, Antonina Minniti: None declared, Domenico Sambataro: None declared, Gianluca Sambataro: None declared, Gabriele Valentini Grant/research support from: BMS, MSD, NOVARTIS, LILLY, PFIZER, ABBVIE, CELGENE, Claudio Vitali: None declared, Roberto Caporali Consultant of: AbbVie; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Lilly; Merck Sharp & Dohme; Celgene; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Pfizer; UCB, Speakers bureau: Abbvie; Bristol-Myers Squibb; Celgene; Lilly; Gilead Sciences, Inc; MSD; Pfizer; Roche; UCB


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Poupore ◽  
Dan Strat ◽  
Tristan Mackey ◽  
Ashley Snell ◽  
Thomas Nathaniel

Abstract Background Acute ischemic stroke attack with and without a recent TIA within or less than 24 hours may differ in clinical risk factors, and this may affect treatment outcomes following thrombolytic therapy. We examined whether the odds of exclusion or inclusion for thrombolytic therapy are greater in ischemic stroke with TIA less than 24 hours preceding ischemic stroke(TIA-24hr-ischemic stroke patients) as compared to those without recent TIA or non-TIA <24 hours.Methods A retrospective hospital-based analysis was conducted on 6,315 ischemic stroke patients, of whom 846 had proven brain diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DW-MRI) of an antecedent TIA within 24 hours prior to ischemic stroke. The logistic regression model was developed to generate odds ratios (OR) to determine clinical factors that may increase the likelihood of exclusion or inclusion for thrombolytic therapy. The validity of the model was tested using a Hosmer-Lemeshow test, while the Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) was used to test the sensitivity of our model.Results In TIA-24hr-ischemic stroke population, patients with a history of alcohol abuse (OR = 5.525, 95% CI, 1.003-30.434, p = 0.05), migraine (OR=4.277, 95% CI, 1.095-16.703, p=0.037), and increasing NIHSS score (OR=1.156, 95% CI, 1.058-1.263, p = 0.001) were associated with the increasing odds of receiving rtPA, while older patients (OR = 0.965, 95% CI, 0.934‐0.997, P = 0.033) were associated with the increasing odds of not receiving rtPA.Conclusion In TIA-24hr-ischemic stroke patients, older patients with higher INR values are associated with increasing odds of exclusion from thrombolytic therapy. Our findings demonstrate clinical risks factors that can be targeted to improve the use and eligibility for rtPA in in TIA-24hr-ischemic stroke patients.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristina Shkirkova ◽  
Nelson Wu ◽  
Sidney Starkman ◽  
Nerses Sanossain ◽  
Scott Hamilton ◽  
...  

Background: Informed consent options for acute stroke randomized trials include self-consent from patients with retained competency, proxy consent from a legally authorized representative (LAR), and exception from informed consent in emergency circumstances (EFIC). Mechanisms other than self-consent trespass upon the ethical principle of autonomy (respect for persons), and should be used only if self-consent alone would bias the patient population. Methods: We analyzed acute stroke patients enrolled within 2h of symptom onset in the NIH Phase 3 Field Administration of Stroke Therapy - Magnesium (FAST-MAG) trial, comparing entry characteristics and outcomes with different consent mechanisms. Results: Among 1700 patients, median time from onset to study entry was 45 min (IQR 35-62). Overall, 60% of patients were competent and provided self-consent, 39% noncompetent and enrolled by proxy consent from an on-scene LAR, and 1% noncompetent enrolled using EFIC/delayed consent. Compared to self-consented patients, proxy-consented patients were: older, 73.8 vs 66.5, p<0.001; more often female, 47% vs 40%, p<0.02; and a higher frequency of several vascular risk factors, including hypertension, 81% vs 76%, p<0.05, diabetes, 26% vs20%, p<0.01, atrial fibrillation, 29% vs 17%, p<0.001, and coronary artery disease, 24% vs 19%, p<0.01. Proxy consent patients had more severe initial stroke deficits, prehospital LAMS, 4.1 vs 3.5, p<0.001. Proxy consent patients with acute cerebral ischemia had more advanced initial ischemic stroke lesions, ASPECTS 8.3 vs 9.3, p<0.001, and received tPA more often, 35% vs 20%, p<0.001. Proxy consent patients with intracerebral hemorrhage patient had larger initial hemorrhage volume (cc), 42.2 vs 22.6, p<0.001. Proxy consent patients had worse final outcomes, with freedom from disability (mRS 0-1) at 90d, 23.6% vs 44.3%, p<0.001. Conclusions: Proxy-informed consent patients differ systematically from self-consent patients, with older age, more comorbidities, more severe deficits, and worse long term outcomes. To ensure that acute stroke trial cohorts are representative of the general stroke population, it is important that enrollment mechanisms include proxy and/or deferred consent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 301-306
Author(s):  
Rodrigo Targa Martins ◽  
Raphael Machado Castilhos ◽  
Pablo Silva da Silva ◽  
Leticia Scaranto Costa

Background and Aims: Syphilis and stroke are high prevalent diseases in south Brazil and estimates of concomitance and possible role of syphilis in acute stroke are lacking. Our aims are to estimate the prevalence of syphilis and neurosyphilis (NS) in a cohort of tertiary stroke center. Methods: We reviewed all hospital records of stroke/transitory ischemic attack (TIA) using International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, at discharge, frequency of syphilis screen, serology positivity, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and prevalence of NS in this stroke population applying CDC criteria. Results: Between 2015 and 2016, there were 1,436 discharges for cerebrovascular events and in 78% (1,119) of these cases, some syphilis screening was performed. We have found a frequency of positive serology for syphilis of 13% (143/1,119), and higher stroke severity was the main determinant for non-screening. Applying standard NS criteria, 4.7% (53/1,119) cases with CSF analysis had NS diagnosis: 8 based on CSF-Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) positive and 45 based on abnormal CSF white cells or protein, but CSF VDRL negative. NS VDRL positive cases were younger, had higher serum VDRL title, had more frequent HIV infection, and received NS treatment more often. Demographic and clinical characteristics were not different between NS VDRL negative and non-NS cases. Conclusion: Positive syphilis serology is frequent in patients with acute stroke/TIA in our region. Acute post-stroke CSF abnormalities make the diagnosis of NS difficult in the context of CSF VDRL negative.


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