scholarly journals Forecasting COVID-19 Severity by Intelligent Optical Fingerprinting of Blood Samples

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1309
Author(s):  
Simão P. Faria ◽  
Cristiana Carpinteiro ◽  
Vanessa Pinto ◽  
Sandra M. Rodrigues ◽  
José Alves ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Strongly Correlated ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Ensemble Machine Learning ◽  
Signal Features ◽  
Machine Learning Model

Forecasting COVID-19 disease severity is key to supporting clinical decision making and assisting resource allocation, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). Here, we investigated the utility of time- and frequency-related features of the backscattered signal of serum patient samples to predict COVID-19 disease severity immediately after diagnosis. ICU admission was the primary outcome used to define disease severity. We developed a stacking ensemble machine learning model including the backscattered signal features (optical fingerprint), patient comorbidities, and age (AUROC = 0.80), which significantly outperformed the predictive value of clinical and laboratory variables available at hospital admission (AUROC = 0.71). The information derived from patient optical fingerprints was not strongly correlated with any clinical/laboratory variable, suggesting that optical fingerprinting brings unique information for COVID-19 severity risk assessment. Optical fingerprinting is a label-free, real-time, and low-cost technology that can be easily integrated as a front-line tool to facilitate the triage and clinical management of COVID-19 patients.

POCT errors can lead to false potassium results

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonio Buño ◽  
Paloma Oliver
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Clinical Intervention ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
Severe Hyperkalemia ◽  
Wrong Diagnosis ◽  
Critical Patients

Abstract Point-of-care-testing (POCT) facilitates rapid availability of results that allows prompt clinical decision making. These results must be reliable and the whole process must not compromise its quality. Blood gas analyzers are one of the most used methods for POCT tests in Emergency Departments (ED) and in critical patients. Whole blood is the preferred sample, and we must be aware that hemolysis can occur. These devices cannot detect the presence of hemolysis in the sample, and because of the characteristics of the sample, we cannot visually detect it either. Hemolysis can alter the result of different parameters, including potassium with abnormal high results or masking low levels (hypokalemia) when reporting normal concentrations. Severe hyperkalemia is associated with the risk of potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmia and demands emergency clinical intervention. Hemolysis can be considered the most frequent cause of pseudohyperkalemia (spurious hyperkalemia) or pseudonormokalemia and can be accompanied by a wrong diagnosis and an ensuing inappropriate clinical decision making. A complete review of the potential causes of falsely elevated potassium concentrations in blood is presented in this article. POCT programs properly led and organized by the clinical laboratory can help to prevent errors and their impact on patient care.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with Disease Severity and Mortality among Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vignesh Chidambaram ◽  
Nyan Lynn Tun ◽  
Waqas Haque ◽  
Marie Gilbert Majella ◽  
Ranjith Kumar Sivakumar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
English Language ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Risk Of Mortality

Background: Understanding the factors associated with disease severity and mortality in Coronavirus disease (COVID19) is imperative to effectively triage patients. We performed a systematic review to determine the demographic, clinical, laboratory and radiological factors associated with severity and mortality in COVID-19. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase and WHO database for English language articles from inception until May 8, 2020. We included Observational studies with direct comparison of clinical characteristics between a) patients who died and those who survived or b) patients with severe disease and those without severe disease. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two authors independently. Results: Among 15680 articles from the literature search, 109 articles were included in the analysis. The risk of mortality was higher in patients with increasing age, male gender (RR 1.45; 95%CI 1.23,1.71), dyspnea (RR 2.55; 95%CI 1.88,2.46), diabetes (RR 1.59; 95%CI 1.41,1.78), hypertension (RR 1.90; 95%CI 1.69,2.15). Congestive heart failure (OR 4.76; 95%CI 1.34,16.97), hilar lymphadenopathy (OR 8.34; 95%CI 2.57,27.08), bilateral lung involvement (OR 4.86; 95%CI 3.19,7.39) and reticular pattern (OR 5.54; 95%CI 1.24,24.67) were associated with severe disease. Clinically relevant cut-offs for leukocytosis(>10.0 x109/L), lymphopenia(< 1.1 x109/L), elevated C-reactive protein(>100mg/L), LDH(>250U/L) and D-dimer(>1mg/L) had higher odds of severe disease and greater risk of mortality. Conclusion: Knowledge of the factors associated of disease severity and mortality identified in our study may assist in clinical decision-making and critical-care resource allocation for patients with COVID-19.

scholarly journals Point-of-Care Testing-the Key in the Battle against SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 1464
Author(s):  
Florina Silvia Iliescu ◽  
Ana Maria Ionescu ◽  
Larisa Gogianu ◽  
Monica Simion ◽  
Violeta Dediu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
Diagnostic Tools ◽  
Point Of Care Testing ◽  
Qrt Pcr ◽  
User Friendly

The deleterious effects of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic urged the development of diagnostic tools to manage the spread of disease. Currently, the “gold standard” involves the use of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) for SARS-CoV-2 detection. Even though it is sensitive, specific and applicable for large batches of samples, qRT-PCR is labour-intensive, time-consuming, requires trained personnel and is not available in remote settings. This review summarizes and compares the available strategies for COVID-19: serological testing, Point-of-Care Testing, nanotechnology-based approaches and biosensors. Last but not least, we address the advantages and limitations of these methods as well as perspectives in COVID-19 diagnostics. The effort is constantly focused on understanding the quickly changing landscape of available diagnostic testing of COVID-19 at the clinical levels and introducing reliable and rapid screening point of care testing. The last approach is key to aid the clinical decision-making process for infection control, enhancing an appropriate treatment strategy and prompt isolation of asymptomatic/mild cases. As a viable alternative, Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) is typically low-cost and user-friendly, hence harbouring tremendous potential for rapid COVID-19 diagnosis.

scholarly journals Single-inhaler triple therapy in symptomatic COPD patients: FULFIL subgroup analyses

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 00119-2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M.G. Halpin ◽  
Ruby Birk ◽  
Noushin Brealey ◽  
Gerard J. Criner ◽  
Mark T. Dransfield ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Disease Severity ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Forced Expiratory Volume ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Double Blind Study ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Subgroup Analyses ◽  
Long Acting

Triple inhaled corticosteroid (ICS)/long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA)/long-acting β2-agonist (LABA) therapy is recommended for symptomatic patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and at risk of exacerbations. However, the benefits versus side-effects of triple inhaled therapy for COPD, based on distinct patient clinical profiles, are unclear.FULFIL, a phase III, randomised, double-blind study, compared 24 weeks of once-daily fluticasone furoate/umeclidinium/vilanterol (FF/UMEC/VI) 100/62.5/25 µg using the Ellipta inhaler with twice-daily budesonide/formoterol (BUD/FOR) 400/12 µg using the Turbuhaler. Subgroup analyses of forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) Total score and exacerbation rates were carried out. Subgroups were defined by COPD medication at screening (ICS+LABA, BUD+FOR, ICS+LABA+LAMA, LAMA alone, tiotropium alone and LAMA+LABA), by disease severity (lung function and exacerbations) and by exacerbation history (exacerbation severity and frequency).In the intent-to-treat population (n=1810) at week 24, FF/UMEC/VI (n=911) versus BUD/FOR (n=899) improved FEV1 and SGRQ Total score and reduced mean annual exacerbation rates in all disease severity and exacerbation history subgroups. FF/UMEC/VI versus BUD/FOR improved FEV1 and SGRQ Total score in all medication subgroups and reduced mean annual exacerbation rates in all medication subgroups, except LAMA+LABA. Adverse events were similar across subgroups.These findings support the benefit of FF/UMEC/VI compared with dual ICS/LABA therapy in patients with symptomatic COPD regardless of disease severity or prior treatment and may help to inform clinical decision making.

Altering standard admission order sets to promote clinical laboratory stewardship: a cohort quality improvement study

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 846-852 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Leis ◽  
Andrew Frost ◽  
Rhonda Bryce ◽  
Andrew W Lyon ◽  
Kelly Coverett
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone ◽  
Clinical Indication ◽  
Medical Overuse ◽  
Order Sets ◽  
Cohort Quality ◽  
Careful Design ◽  
Order Set

BackgroundCareful design of preprinted order sets is needed to prevent medical overuse. Recent work suggests that removing a single checkbox from an order set changes physicians’ clinical decision-making.Local problemDuring a 2-month period, our coronary care unit (CCU) ordered almost eight times as many serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) tests as our neighbouring intensive care unit, many without a reasonable clinical basis. We postulated that we could reduce inappropriate testing and improve clinical laboratory stewardship by removing the TSH checkbox from the CCU admission order set.MethodsAfter we retrospectively evaluated CCU TSH ordering before intervention, the checkbox was removed from the CCU admission order set. Twelve weeks later, we commenced a prospective 2-month assessment of TSH testing and clinical sequelae of thyroid disease among all CCU admissions. If clinical indications were absent or testing had occurred within 6 weeks, TSH requests were labelled as ‘inappropriate’.ResultsPhysician ordering and, specifically, inappropriate ordering decreased substantially after the intervention. In 2016 among physician-ordered TSH tests, 60.6% (66/109) were inappropriate; in 2017 this decreased to 20% (2/10, p=0.01). Overall, the net effect of checkbox removal saw the decrease in TSH testing without clinical indication outweigh an increase in missed testing where indications appear to exist.ConclusionsProvision of an optional checkbox for a laboratory test in an admission order set can promote overuse of laboratory resources. Simple removal of a checkbox may dramatically change test ordering patterns and promote clinical laboratory stewardship. Given our reliance on order sets, particularly by trainees, changes to order sets must be cautious to assure guideline-directed care is maintained.

scholarly journals Quantifying the Impact of Patient-Specific Factors and Disease Severity on Clinical Decision Making in Cuff Tear Arthropathy: A Case-Based Survey

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 276-285
Author(s):  
Adam P. Schumaier ◽  
Yehia H. Bedeir ◽  
Joshua S. Dines ◽  
Keith Kenter ◽  
Lawrence V. Gulotta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Patient Specific ◽  
Cuff Tear Arthropathy ◽  
Cuff Tear ◽  
Specific Factors ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Case Based

scholarly journals Host Inflammatory Biomarkers of Disease Severity in Pediatric Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Catarina D Fernandes ◽  
María B Arriaga ◽  
Maria Carolina M Costa ◽  
Maria Clara M Costa ◽  
Maria Heloina M Costa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Community Acquired Pneumonia ◽  
Inflammatory Biomarkers ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Cell Counts

Abstract Background Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is the leading cause of death in children. Identification of reliable biomarkers offers the potential to develop a severity quantitative score to assist in clinical decision-making and improve outcomes. Methods A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in PubMed and EMBASE on November 13, 2018, to examine the association between host inflammatory biomarkers and CAP severity in children. The inclusion criteria were case–control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies that examined candidate serum biomarkers. We extracted outcomes of interest, means, and standardized mean differences (SMDs) of plasma and serum levels of biomarkers together with information on disease severity. Meta-analysis was performed. This review was registered in the PROSPERO international registry (CRD42019123351). Results Two hundred seventy-two abstracts were identified, and 17 studies were included. Among the biomarkers evaluated, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP; SMD, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.35 to 0.91), interleukin (IL)-6 (SMD, 0.46; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.66), IL-8 (SMD, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.15 to 1.29), neutrophil count (SMD, 0.27; 95% CI, 0.07 to 0.47), and procalcitonin (SMD, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.20 to 1.15) were substantially increased in severe CAP. In contrast, IL-2 concentrations (SMD, –0.24; 95% CI, –0.45 to –0.03) were higher in nonsevere CAP. Study heterogeneity was reported to be high (I2 &gt; 75%), except for IL-2, IL-5, IL-6, and IL-12p70, which were classified as moderate (I2 = 50%–74%). Only neutrophil and white blood cell counts were described by studies exhibiting a low level of heterogeneity. Conclusions Our results suggest that host biomarkers, and especially CRP, IL-6, IL-8, and procalcitonin levels, have the potential to predict severe CAP in pediatric populations.

Princess Margaret Cancer Centre (PMCC) Integrated Molecular Profiling in Advanced Cancers Trial (IMPACT) using genotyping and targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS).

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 11002-11002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippe L. Bedard ◽  
Amit M. Oza ◽  
Ming-Sound Tsao ◽  
Natasha B. Leighl ◽  
Frances A. Shepherd ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Targeted Therapies ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Laboratory ◽  
Screening Program ◽  
Illumina Miseq ◽  
Response Assessment ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Molecular Profiling ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Targeted Next Generation Sequencing

11002 Background: IMPACT is an institution-wide screening program to identify patients (pts) treated at PMCC with somatic alterations that can be matched to targeted therapies. Methods: Pts with advanced breast, colorectal (CRC), non-small cell lung (NSCLC), ovarian cancers and selected other solid tumors treated at PMCC were eligible. Tumor DNA was isolated from a FFPE archived sample and genotyped using a customized Sequenom panel (23 genes, 280 mutations) in a CLIA-certified laboratory. Verified mutations were reported in pts electronic health records. Selected FFPE samples were further characterized by NGS with the Illumina MiSeq TruSeq Amplicon Cancer Panel (48 genes, 212 amplicons, ≥500x coverage) for platform validation. Results: From Mar 1/12-Jan 10/13, 485 pts were enrolled with median 1 prior treatment for advanced disease (range 0-6). Of 33 (7%) screen failures, 5% were for insufficient tissue and 2% for clinical deterioration. Median DNA quantity from FFPE = 4250ng (range 15-32550ng). The median time from tissue receipt to reporting was 5 weeks (range 1-23). Mutations were identified by Sequenom in 137/349 (39%) pts, including 24/79 (30%) breast, 40/80 (50%) CRC, 54/88 (61%) NSCLC, 17/78 (22%) ovarian, and 2/24 (8%) other cancers. Mutations detected were: 76 KRAS, 35 PIK3CA, 22 EGFR, 5 NRAS, 5 ERBB2, 5 CTNNB1, 4 BRAF, and 1 AKT1. MiSeq was concordant with Sequenom in 112/113 (99%) pts, with mutations identified in 94/114 (82%). The average number of mutations detected by MiSeq was 1.72/pt (range 0-7) compared with 0.49/pt by Sequenom (range 0-2). After a median follow up of 5.0 months, 31/137 (23%) pts with mutations have been matched to targeted therapies, including 14 pts enrolled in clinical trials (15 trials) matched to their genotype. Of the 10 trial pts with at least one response assessment, 3 PR (1 confirmed) and 2 SD ≥ 24 weeks have been observed. Conclusions: Molecular profiling can be integrated into the routine care of advanced cancer pts. Genotyping and targeted NGS are feasible in a clinical laboratory using stored archival FFPE tumor samples. NGS identifies additional actionable mutations to inform clinical-decision making. Clinical trial information: NCT01505400.

Investigation in respiratory disease

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranabashis Haldar
Keyword(s):  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Respiratory Medicine ◽  
Clinical Expression ◽  
Serial Measurement ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Limited Spectrum

Investigation in respiratory disease may be broadly classified as (1) tests that aid with diagnosis; (2) tests that assess disease severity—these are usually measures of respiratory function and inform prognosis; and (3) tests that assess disease activity—these are usually non-invasive biomarkers, enabling serial measurement, and may inform therapy. One of the challenges of respiratory medicine is the limited spectrum of clinical expression associated with a diverse spectrum of pathologies. Clinical symptoms in respiratory medicine are often of poor specificity for securing a diagnosis or assessing disease severity. Investigations, therefore, necessarily form a critical part of assessment. The most appropriate choice of investigation is an important component of clinical decision-making that affects patient care and may be influenced by a number of different questions that the clinician will need to consider.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Sensitivity of Alzheimer’s Disease Severity Staging

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 ◽  
pp. 153331752091871 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia S. Benoit ◽  
Wenyaw Chan ◽  
Linda Piller ◽  
Rachelle Doody
Keyword(s):  
Alzheimer’S Disease ◽  
Alzheimer's Disease ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Disease Severity ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Disease Assessment ◽  
Progression Rate ◽  
Clinical Dementia Rating ◽  
Cognitive Subscale

Understanding Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dynamics is essential in diagnosis and measuring progression for clinical decision-making; however, clinical instruments are imperfect at classifying true disease stages. This research evaluates sensitivity and determinants of AD stage changes longitudinally using current classifications of “mild,” “moderate,” and “severe” AD, using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale–Cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog), and the Clinical Dementia Rating–Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) thresholds. Age and pre-progression rate were significant determinants of AD progression using MMSE alone to stage AD, and pre-progression was found to impact disease progression with CDR-SB. Sensitivity of these instruments for identifying clinical stages of AD to correctly staging a “moderate” level of disease severity for outcomes MMSE, CDR-SB, and ADAS-Cog was 92%, 78%, and 92%, respectively. This research derives longitudinal sensitivity of clinical instruments used to stage AD useful for clinical decision-making. The MMSE and ADAS-Cog provided adequate sensitivity to classify AD stages.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document