MODERATE SENSITIVITY, HIGH SPECIFICITY, AND LOW POSITIVE PREDICTIVE VALUE OF THE GROUP B STREPTOCOCCAL (GBS) LATEX AGGLUTINATION (LA) ANTIGEN DETECTION TEST

Our study aims to assess improvement with symptomatic treatment of pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) in a biopsychosocial construct and evaluate validity of Rome III criteria. Children with chronic abdominal pain diagnosed with an FGID or organic disease were followed for 1 year: 256/334 were diagnosed with an FGID and 78/334 were diagnosed with a possible organic disease due to alarm signs or not meeting Rome III criteria. After 1 year, 251 had true FGID and 46 had organic diseases. Ninety percent of FGID patients improved with symptomatic treatment over an average of 5.4 months. With a 95% confidence interval, Rome criteria predicted FGIDs with sensitivity 0.89, specificity 0.90, positive predictive value 0.98, and negative predictive value 0.59. We conclude that symptomatic treatment of pain-related FGIDs results in clinical improvement and could reduce invasive/expensive testing. Rome III criteria’s high specificity and positive predictive value suggest they can rule in a diagnosis of FGID.

Download Full-text

Serum D-dimer level as a biomarker for identifying patients with isolated injury to prevent unnecessary whole-body computed tomography in blunt trauma care

Scandinavian Journal of Trauma Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine ◽

10.1186/s13049-020-00815-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 29 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rakuhei Nakama ◽

Ryo Yamamoto ◽

Yoshimitsu Izawa ◽

Keiichi Tanimura ◽

Takashi Mato

Keyword(s):

Computed Tomography ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

High Specificity ◽

Whole Body ◽

Cutoff Value ◽

Whole Body Ct ◽

Isolated Injury ◽

D Dimer ◽

Body Ct

Abstract Background Unnecessary whole-body computed tomography (CT) may lead to excess radiation exposure. Serum D-dimer levels have been reported to correlate with injury severity. We examined the predictive value of serum D-dimer level for identifying patients with isolated injury that can be diagnosed with selected-region CT rather than whole-body CT. Methods This single-center retrospective cohort study included patients with blunt trauma (2014–2017). We included patients whose serum D-dimer levels were measured before they underwent whole-body CT. “Isolated” injury was defined as injury with Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) score ≤ 5 to any of five regions of interest or with AIS score ≤ 1 to other regions, as revealed by a CT scan. A receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was drawn for D-dimer levels corresponding to isolated injury; the area under the ROC (AUROC) was evaluated. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for several candidate cut-off values for serum D-dimer levels. Results Isolated injury was detected in 212 patients. AUROC was 0.861 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.815–0.907) for isolated injury prediction. Serum D-dimer level ≤ 2.5 μg/mL was an optimal cutoff value for predicting isolated injury with high specificity (100.0%) and positive predictive value (100.0%). Approximately 30% of patients had serum D-dimer levels below this cutoff value. Conclusion D-dimer level ≤ 2.5 μg/mL had high specificity and high positive predictive value in cases of isolated injury, which could be diagnosed with selected-region CT, reducing exposure to radiation associated with whole-body CT.

Download Full-text

Hepatitis C virus core antigen assay: an alternative method for hepatitis C diagnosis

Annals of Clinical Biochemistry International Journal of Laboratory Medicine ◽

10.1177/0004563216661218 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 54 (2) ◽

pp. 279-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Lijuan Wang ◽

Hong Lv ◽

Guojun Zhang

Keyword(s):

Hepatitis C ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Characteristic Curve ◽

High Specificity ◽

Receiver Operator Characteristic Curve ◽

Core Antigen ◽

Hcv Rna ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Alternative Method

Background The study aimed to evaluate a fully automated chemiluminescent immunoassay and compared it with a quantitative RNA assay and anti-HCV assay to verify the utility of this automated Ag assay as an alternative method for hepatitis C diagnosis. Methods A total of 229 serum samples previously tested for anti-HCV concentrations by the Architect Anti-HCV assay, were selected for HCV RNA testing by real time RT-PCR kit (Shanghai ZJ Bio-Tec Co., Ltd) and 125 specimens were tested for HCV Ag by the Architect HCV core Antigen kit. Results The log10 HCVAg and HCV RNA concentrations were highly correlated [ r = 0.834); with HCV RNA as the comparator test, HCVAg had 100% specificity, 100% positive predictive value (PPV) and 94.8% sensitivity. We found 1 pg/mL of total HCV core Ag is equivalent to approximately 6607HCV RNA international units (IU)/mL. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under the curve of HCV core Ag (0.989) was greater than HCV Ab (0.871). HCV Ag concentrations and RNA-to-Ag ratio of the groups for HCV RNA concentrations ≤105 and >105 IU/mL were both significantly different from each other ( P < 0.05). Conclusion The Architect HCV core Ag assay may be an alternative method for hepatitis C diagnosis, performed on the same analytical platform and sample as the anti-HCV assay, shortening the diagnostic window period, demonstrating good correlation with HCV RNA assay with high specificity and positive predictive value.

Download Full-text

Agreement in the diagnosis of dental fluorosis in central incisors performed by a standardized photographic method and clinical examination

Cadernos de Saúde Pública ◽

10.1590/s0102-311x2009000500008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 1017-1024 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Carolina Castro Martins ◽

Loliza Chalub ◽

Ynara Bosco Lima-Arsati ◽

Isabela Almeida Pordeus ◽

Saul Martins Paiva

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Clinical Examination ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Gold Standard ◽

Dental Fluorosis ◽

Digital Camera ◽

High Specificity ◽

Photographic Method ◽

Pediatric Dentists

The aim of this study was to assess agreement in the diagnosis of dental fluorosis performed by a standardized digital photographic method and a clinical examination (gold standard). 49 children (aged 7-9 years) were clinically evaluated by a trained examiner for the assessment of dental fluorosis. Central incisors were evaluated for the presence or absence of dental fluorosis and were photographed with a digital camera. Photographs were presented to three pediatric dentists, who examined the images. Data were analyzed using Cohen's kappa and validity values. Agreement in the diagnosis performed by the photographic method and clinical examination was good (0.67) and accuracy was 83.7%. The prevalence of dental fluorosis was reported to be higher in the clinical examination (49%) compared with the photographic method (36.7%). The photographic method presented higher specificity (96%) than sensitivity (70.8%), a positive predictive value (PPV) of 94.4% and a negative predictive value (NPV) of 77.4%. The diagnosis of dental fluorosis performed using the photographic method presented high specificity and PPV, which indicates that the method is reproducible and reliable for recording dental fluorosis.

Download Full-text

The slipping slipper sign: a simple test with high specificity and positive predictive value for peripheral neuropathy among diabetic patients

Clinics and Practice ◽

10.4081/cp.2012.e51 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 51 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Krystal A.T. Gayle ◽

Marshall K. Tulloch-Reid ◽

Rainford J. Wilks ◽

Trevor S. Ferguson

Keyword(s):

Peripheral Neuropathy ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Diabetic Neuropathy ◽

Predictive Value ◽

High Specificity ◽

Diabetic Patients ◽

Simple Test ◽

Diabetes Clinic ◽

Sensitivity Specificity ◽

Single Question

This study evaluated the ability of the slipping slipper sign (defined as unknowingly losing a slipper while walking) to identify diabetic neuropathy in Jamaican patients. A single question was used to ascertain the presence of the slipping slipper sign (SSS) among 69 patients attending a diabetes clinic. Nurses assessed pain, vibration and pressure perception among the same patients in order to detect diabetic neuropathy. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for the SSS were calculated. Eight participants (men=5, women=3) reported positive SSS. The SSS had a sensitivity of 28.6%, specificity of 100% and positive predictive value (PPV) 100% for neuropathy on at least one of the three tests. These findings indicate that the SSS has high specificity and PPV for diabetic neuropathy but the sensitivity is low. The sign may be a useful adjuvant to conventional methods of screening for severe neuropathy

Download Full-text

Clinical Performance of the Spot Vision Photo Screener before and after Induction of Cycloplegia in Children

Journal of Ophthalmology ◽

10.1155/2019/5329121 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2019 ◽

pp. 1-7 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Konuralp Yakar

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Clinical Performance ◽

High Specificity ◽

Screening Criteria ◽

Predictive Values ◽

Before And After ◽

Sensitivity Specificity ◽

Vision Screener

Aim. To compare the clinical performance of the Spot Vision Screener used to detect amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) in children before and after induction of cycloplegia; the children were referred because they met the screening criteria of the American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS). Methods. The Spot Vision Screener and a standard autorefractometer were used to examine 200 eyes of 100 children aged 3–10 years, before and after cycloplegia induction, in terms of ARFs. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the detection of significant refractive errors were measured using the AAPOS referral criteria. It was explored that Spot Screener data were affected by cycloplegia. The extent of agreement between cycloplegic/noncycloplegic photoscreening data and cycloplegic autorefraction measurements was assessed using Wilcoxon and Spearman correlation analyses. Results. The Spot’s sensitivity was improved from 60.9% to 85.3% and specificity from 94.9% to 87.4% with cycloplegia compared to cycloplegic standard autorefractometer results. The positive predictive value of Spot was 75.7%, and the negative predictive value was 90.4% without cycloplegia. With cycloplegia, the positive predictive value of Spot was 63.6% and the negative predictive value was 95.8%. Conclusions. The Spot Screener afforded moderate sensitivity and high specificity prior to cycloplegia. The sensitivity and negative predictive value improved after induction of cycloplegia. Examiners should be aware of the effects of cycloplegia on their findings.

Download Full-text

Correlation of cord blood albumin values with neonatal jaundice in health new-borns: a prospective observational study

International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ◽

10.18203/2349-3291.ijcp20190702 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 634

Author(s):

Jehangir Allam Bhat ◽

Roshan Ara

Keyword(s):

Cord Blood ◽

Negative Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Mode Of Delivery ◽

Subsequent Development ◽

High Sensitivity ◽

High Specificity ◽

Observation Study ◽

Blood Albumin ◽

Group B

Background: The objective of the present study was to investigate the predictability of pathological jaundice on cord blood albumin values.Methods: It was a prospective observation study conducted in Kurji holy family hospital on 289 healthy new-borns. Babies were divided into two groups. Group A who developed physiological jaundice and group B who developed pathological jaundice. Cord blood albumin was estimated in all new-born who were then followed up-to 5th day of life. Babies who developed jaundice requiring treatment were admitted in NICU for phototherapy. Rest where checked regularly up-to 5th day of life and value recorded on 5th day by estimation of serum albumin.Results: Incidence of pathological hyperalbuminemia in present study was 11.2%. There was statistically significant correlation between cord blood albumin and development of pathological jaundice. Gender, age, mode of delivery and birth weight has no correlation with cord albumin and the subsequent development of jaundice. Cord blood albumin <3.5mg/dl when compared with subsequent development of jaundice has high specificity (83.92%) and negative predictive value (87.35%). Cord blood value of >2.5mg/dl has high sensitivity (97.06%), specificity (99.22%), Positive predictive value (94.29%) and negative predictive value (99.61%) in predicting future development of pathological jaundice.Conclusions: The 87.35% negative predictive value in the present study suggests that in healthy term babies (Cord blood albumin ≤3.5mg/dl) cord serum albumin can help to identify those new-borns who are unlikely to require further evaluation and intervention. These new-borns can be discharged with assurance to parents. Babies with CBA level <2.5mg/dl should be followed more frequently. Thus, this study concludes that cord blood total albumin levels reliably predict the occurrence of pathological hyperalbuminemia.

Download Full-text

Basal and Calcium-Stimulated Procalcitonin for the Diagnosis of Medullary Thyroid Cancers: Lights and Shadows

Frontiers in Endocrinology ◽

10.3389/fendo.2021.754565 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Simona Censi ◽

Marta Di Stefano ◽

Andrea Repaci ◽

Teresa Benvenuti ◽

Jacopo Manso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Medullary Thyroid Cancer ◽

High Specificity ◽

Final Diagnosis ◽

Tertiary Level ◽

Consecutive Series ◽

Medullary Thyroid ◽

Calcium Stimulation

BackgroundProcalcitonin (proCt) was recently proposed as an alternative or in addition to calcitonin (Ct) in medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) diagnostics.MethodsSerum basal Ct (bCt) and proCt (bproCt) levels were measured before surgery from a consecutive series of patients with (n=43) and without (n=75) MTC, retrospectively collected in Padua. Serum bproCt, bCt and stimulated proCt and Ct (sproCt and sCt) were measured in another consecutive series of 33 patients seen at three tertiary-level institutions undergoing a calcium stimulation test prior to surgery, 20 of them with a final diagnosis of MTC, and 13 with non-MTC nodular disease.ResultsMedian bproCt levels were higher in MTC than in non-MTC. A positive correlation was found for bproCt with bCt (P<0.01, R2 = 0.75), and with tumor size (P<0.01, R2 = 0.39). The cut-off for bproCt differentiating between MTC and non-MTC patients was >0.07 ng/ml (sensitivity: 85.7%, specificity: 98.9%, positive predictive value [PPV]: 98.2%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 90.6%, P<0.01). While bproCt was >0.07 ng/ml in 38/39 (97.4%) patients with MTC >10 mm, it was above said cut-off only in 15/23 (65.2%) patients with tumors ≤10 mm. A sproCt >0.19 ng/ml was able to identify MTC [sensitivity: 90.0%, specificity:100.0%, PPV: 100.0%, NPV: 86.7% (P<0.01)].ConclusionsOur data suggest that bproCt can be a good adjunct to Ct for MTC diagnostic purposes. In consideration of its high specificity, it can be used in combination with Ct in MTC diagnostics, particularly in the case of mildly elevated basal Ct levels.

Download Full-text

DIATHERMY INCISIONS V/S SURGICAL SCALPEL INCISIONS

The Professional Medical Journal ◽

10.29309/tpmj/2015.22.11.942 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 22 (11) ◽

pp. 1550-1524

Author(s):

Khawar Saeed Jamali ◽

Naveed Ali Khan ◽

Muhammad Jawed ◽

Ubedullah Shaikh

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

General Surgery ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Surgical Outcome ◽

Seroma Formation ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Group A ◽

Group B

Objectives: The objective of this study was to compare the outcome of diathermyincisions v/s surgical scalpel incisions in general surgery. Study Design: Cross sectional study.Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at surgical unit 7, Sindh Govt. LyariGeneral Hospital and Dow University of Health Sciences between January to December 2009.Methodology: 100 consecutive patients for elective general surgery were randomly assignedto either group A incision with cutting diathermy (n=50) or group B cold steel scalpel (n=50).Data including demographic details, hospital stay, infection rate and non-infective complicationslike swelling, bleeding, dehiscence and seroma formation were recorded in both groups tocompare the final surgical outcome compared. Results: A total of 80 patients were included inthe study, placed alternatively into two groups of 40 patients each with majority being male (n =61, 76.3%). The mean age was 22.46 years. The positive predictive value for patients of Group Awas 92.5% while for Group B was 77.5%. When diagnostic accuracy was compared on the basisof Gender for the two groups, the positive predictive value for male patients of Group A and Bwas 90.09% and 89.28% respectively, but for females the positive predictive value of Group Aand B was 100% and 50% respectively. In Diathermy (Group A) total 20% patients developedcomplications and these were seroma formation (n=4, 8%), wound dehiscence (n=3, 6%) andwound infection (n=3, 6%). In Scalpel (Group B) total 26% patients developed complications(P-value=0.370) in which seromas was noted (n=5, 10%) then wound infection (n=4, 8%), thenwound bleeding (n=3, 6%) and lastly seroma formation (n=1, 2%). Hospital stays were alsoalmost similar with mean value 8.24 days in diathermy group and 10.54 days in scalpel group.No remarkable difference in demographics, characteristics and in other variables of patientswas noted. Conclusion: We conclude that no significant difference in surgical outcome ofboth groups (cutting diathermy Vs. steel scalpel). Therefore, use of either technique to createsurgical wound merely depends upon preference of surgeon.

Download Full-text

Early Detection of Bacteremia in an Outpatient Clinic

PEDIATRICS ◽

10.1542/peds.75.5.827 ◽

1985 ◽

Vol 75 (5) ◽

pp. 827-831 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Cheng-Hurd Liu ◽

Carol Lehan ◽

Michael E. Speer ◽

E. O'Brian Smith ◽

Margaret E. Gutgesell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Positive Predictive Value ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Group B Streptococcus ◽

Febrile Illness ◽

Peripheral Blood Smear ◽

Polymorphonuclear Neutrophils ◽

Differential Count ◽

Wbc Count ◽

Group B ◽

Morphologic Changes

A total of 570 patients, aged less than 24 months, who were seen in the emergency room at Texas Children's Hospital for evaluation of acute febrile illness had a WBC count, differential count, and a blood culture obtained. Bacteremia occurred in 7.7% (n = 44) (22 Haemophilus influenzae; 17 Streptococcus pneumoniae; three Escherichia coli; one group B Streptococcus; one Staphylococcus aureus). The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value of morphologic changes (vacuolization and toxic granulation) of polymorphonuclear neutrophils (segmented neutrophils plus band cells), WBC count ≥15,000/µL and band cells ≥500/µL were examined. Additionally, abnormalities in three of four tests (WBC count ≥15,000/µL, band cells ≥500/µL, segmented neutrophils ≥10,000/µL, and/or total polymor-phonuclear neutrophils ≥10,500/µL) were evaluated. Morphologic changes of polymorphonuclear neutrophils were noted frequently in patients with culture-proven bacteremia (63% and 51% positive predictive value for vacuolization and toxic granulation, respectively) and were more predictive of bacterial infection than traditional tests. If both vacuolization and toxic granulation were present, the positive predictive value increased to 76%. Examination of the peripheral blood smear may provide important adjunctive information for the presence of bacteremia prior to bacteriologic confirmation.

Download Full-text