scholarly journals Value and Diagnostic Efficacy of Fetal Morphology Assessment Using Ultrasound in A Poor-Resource Setting

Diagnostics ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ukweh ◽  
Ugbem ◽  
Okeke ◽  
Ekpo
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Performance Metrics ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Diagnostic Efficacy ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Resource Setting ◽  
Post Test ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Background: Ultrasound is operator-dependent, and its value and efficacy in fetal morphology assessment in a low-resource setting is poorly understood. We assessed the value and efficacy of fetal morphology ultrasound assessment in a Nigerian setting. Materials and Methods: We surveyed fetal morphology ultrasound performed across five facilities and followed-up each fetus to ascertain the outcome. Fetuses were surveyed in the second trimester (18th–22nd weeks) using the International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology (ISUOG) guideline. Clinical and surgical reports were used as references to assess the diagnostic efficacy of ultrasound in livebirths, and autopsy reports to confirm anomalies in terminated pregnancies, spontaneous abortions, intrauterine fetal deaths, and still births. We calculated sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, Area under the curve (AUC), Youden index, likelihood ratios, and post-test probabilities. Results: In total, 6520 fetuses of women aged 15–46 years (mean = 31.7 years) were surveyed. The overall sensitivity, specificity, and AUC were 77.1 (95% CI: 68–84.6), 99.5 (95% CI: 99.3–99.7), and 88.3 (95% CI: 83.7–92.2), respectively. Other performance metrics were: positive predictive value, 72.4 (95% CI: 64.7–79.0), negative predictive value, 99.6 (95% CI: 99.5–99.7), and Youden index (77.1%). Abnormality prevalence was 1.67% (95% CI: 1.37–2.01), and the positive and negative likelihood ratios were 254 (95% CI: 107.7–221.4) and 0.23 (95% CI: 0.16–0.33), respectively. The post-test probability for positive test was 72% (95% CI: 65–79). Conclusion: Fetal morphology assessment is valuable in a poor economics setting, however, the variation in the diagnostic efficacy across facilities and the limitations associated with the detection of circulatory system anomalies need to be addressed.

External Validation of Different Scoring Systems for Suspected Choledocholithiasis

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 530-538
Author(s):  
Nicolò Tamini ◽  
Davide Paolo Bernasconi ◽  
Luca Gianotti
Keyword(s):  
Operating Characteristic ◽  
Bile Duct Stone ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
External Validation ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Symptoms And Signs

Aim of the Study: The diagnosis of choledocholithiasis is challenging. Previously published scoring systems designed to calculate the risk of choledocholithiasis were evaluated to appraise the diagnostic performance. Patients and Methods: Data of patients who were admitted between 2013 and 2015 with the following characteristics were retrieved: bile stone-related symptoms and signs, and indication to laparoscopic cholecystectomy. To validate and appraise the performance of the 6 scoring systems, the acknowledged domains of each metrics were applied to the present cohort. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, negative predictive, Youden index, and receiver operating characteristic curve with the area under the curve (AUC) values of the scores were calculated. Results: Two-hundred patients were analyzed. The highest sensitivity and specificity were obtained from the Menezes’ (96.6%) and Telem’s (99.3%) metrics respectively. The Telem’s and Menezes’ scores had the best positive (75.0%) and negative (96.4%) predictive values respectively. The best accuracy, as computed by the Youden index and AUC, was found for the Soltan’s scoring system (0.628 and 0.88, respectively). Conclusion: The available scoring systems are precise only in identifying patients with a negligible risk of common bile duct stone, but overall insufficiently accurate to suggest the routine use in clinical practice.

scholarly journals DIAGNOSTIC EFFICACY OF MODIFIED ALVARADO SCORE OVER GRADDED COMPRESSION ULTRASONOGRAPHY

2013 ◽  
Vol 03 (03) ◽  
pp. 105-108
Author(s):  
Caren Dsouza ◽  
John Martis ◽  
Vinay Vaidyanathan
Keyword(s):  
Acute Appendicitis ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Preoperative Diagnosis ◽  
Iliac Fossa ◽  
Diagnostic Efficacy ◽  
Alvarado Score ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Modified Alvarado Score ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity ◽  
Compression Ultrasonography

Abstract Background: Acute appendicitis is one of the commonest surgical emergencies. Despite a life time cumulative risk of nearly 7% its diagnosis remains a challenge. The risks of two primary outcomes must be balanced in the management of presumed appendicitis: perforation and misdiagnosis.The rate of misdiagnosis in certain populations is as high as 40%. Diagnostic aids like modified Alvarado score and ultrasonography can dramatically reduce the negative appendicectomies. Methods:Data was collected from 60 patients with complains of right iliac fossa pain over a period of 9 months to our hospital. All patients were categorised using the Alvarado score and Graded compression ultrasonography was done. The preoperative and histological findings were compared with the preoperative diagnosis. The collected data was analysed with regards to various parameters like sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and diagnostic accuracy. Results:In our study of 60 patients, 56 patients underwent appendicectomy out of which a histological confirmation of appendicitis was obtained for 50 patients, giving a negative appendicectomy rate of 12%.By taking a cut-off point of 7 for the Modified Alvarado score, a sensitivity of 97.56%, specificity of 66.67%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 95.23%, negative predictive value (NPV) of 80% and accuracy of 87.2% were calculated. Using the cut-off point of 6, a sensitivity of 90% specificity of 50%, PPV of 69.23%, NPV of 80% and accuracy of 55.56% were obtained. The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV and accuracy rate of ultrasonography was 92.15%, 88.9%, 97.19%, 66.7% and 85%, respectively. Conclusion:The presence of a modified Alvarado score > 7 was found to be a dependable aid in the preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis. In cases where the score was negative or equivocal, ultrasonography greatly helped in the diagnosis thereby reducing the incidence of negative appendicectomies.

scholarly journals Significance of CAVI, hs-CRP and Homocysteine in subclinical arteriosclerosis among a healthy population in China

2013 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinpeng Zhong ◽  
Yonghong Wang ◽  
Xiaoling Wang ◽  
Fengzeng Li ◽  
Yulei Hou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Healthy Population ◽  
Hs Crp ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the ability of cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels and homocysteine (Hcy) levels to screen for subclinical arteriosclerosis (subAs) in an apparently healthy population, with the view to obtaining an optimal diagnostic marker or profile for subAs. Methods: Subjects (152) undergoing routine health examinations were recruited and divided into two groups: carotid arteriosclerosis (CA) and non-carotid arteriosclerosis (NCA), according to carotid intima-media thickness (CMIT). CAVI was calculated based on blood pressure and pulse wave velocity. Serum hs-CRP and Hcy levels were also measured. A Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the efficacy of each in carotid arteriosclerosis screening. Ten parameter combinations, designated W1 to W10, were compared in terms of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV). Results: The levels of all three parameters were significantly higher in the CA group, compared with the NCA group. ROC curves showed that the area under the curve (AUC) for CAVI was 0.708 (95%CI: 0.615-0.800), which is significantly larger than that of either hs-CRP (0.622) or Hcy (0.630), respectively (P < 0.001). Maximum sensitivity (100%) and NPV (100%) were attained with W10, while maximum specificity (86.2%) and PPV (46.7%) were obtained with W7. With W9, the maximum Youden index (0.416) was obtained, with a sensitivity of 77.8% and specificity of 63.8%. Conclusions: CAVI is more effective than hs-CRP or Hcy for subAs screening. The optimal profile was obtained with a combination of CAVI and other parameters.

scholarly journals An Evaluation of the Arcus Corneae For Age Estimation

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 155-162
Author(s):  
Boonsak Hanterdsith
Keyword(s):  
Predictive Value ◽  
Interobserver Reliability ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Diagnostic Value ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Although the arcus corneae (AC) has long been used as an age indicator for forensic purposes, its diagnostic value has not been evaluated. To evaluate the AC as a predictor of chronological age, the author has studied the correlation of AC with respect to age of the deceased. A cross-sectional study was conducted of 342 Thai corpses at the Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital, Thailand. AC was graded into three levels: no AC, incomplete ring, and complete ring. One-way analysis of variance, chi-square test, binomial logistic regression, sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios were used for analysis. The Cohen’s kappa was used to determine the intraobserver and interobserver reliability. The prevalence of AC and the probability of complete AC were significant higher in corpses aged 60 years and above than in those under 60 years. Consequently, this study confirmed that the prevalence of AC was significantly correlated with the age of Thai individuals. If the complete AC is used as an indicator of age of 60 years and above, complete AC has high sensitivity (92.56%) but low specificity (72.85%), low positive predictive value (65.12%), but high negative predictive value (94.71%). For diagnostic value, the presence of AC can be used for age screening but not for absolute confirmation. The absence of AC indicates young age, incomplete AC indicates middle age, and complete AC indicates old age. The high intraobserver and interobserver reliability provides assurance of the value of AC as a means to estimate personal age.

scholarly journals El dilema del vigilante. Valoración de pruebas diagnósticas.

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 4
Author(s):  
Manuel Molina
Keyword(s):  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Likelihood Ratios ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Significant Parameter ◽  
Quantitative Results ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Existen una serie de parámetros que caracterizan las pruebas diagnósticas, como son la sensibilidad, la especificidad, los valores predictivos y los cocientes de probabilidad. Solo estos últimos nos permiten el cálculo de la probabilidad del paciente de presentar la enfermedad, con independencia de la prevalencia en la población. Para caracterizar las pruebas con resultado cuantitativo se utilizan las curvas ROC, cuyo parámetro más significativo es el área bajo la curva. ABSTRACT There are a series of parameters that characterize the diagnostic tests, such as sensitivity, specificity, predictive values and likelihood ratios. Only the latter allow us to calculate the patient's probability of presenting the disease, regardless of the prevalence in the population. To characterize the tests with quantitative results, the ROC curves are used, whose most significant parameter is the area under the curve.

scholarly journals Validation of Complete Hindi Version of Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questionnaire for Assessment of Neuropathic Pain

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 257-263
Author(s):  
Ashok K Saxena ◽  
Dipanshu Khrolia ◽  
Geetanjali T Chilkoti ◽  
R Kumar Malhotra
Keyword(s):  
Neuropathic Pain ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Douleur Neuropathique ◽  
Pain Clinic ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Good Diagnostic Accuracy ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Objectives: The Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) questionnaire is a widely used tool for the diagnosis of neuropathic pain (NP). The aim was to validate the Complete Hindi version of DN4 (CH-DN4) questionnaire. Materials and Methods: A systematic translation process was used to translate the original English DN4 into Hindi. The Hindi version was validated among patients appearing in the pain clinic of a tertiary hospital in the capital of Delhi by two different raters. We assessed the internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and inter-rater agreement, validity, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and area under the curve (AUC). Results: A total of 285 participants, out of which 153 had NP and 132 had non NP (NNP) were included in the study. The results showed our CH-DN4 to have good diagnostic accuracy, a score of ≥ 3.5 was found to be the best cut–off for the diagnosis of NP, with a sensitivity of 0.78, specificity of 0.76, a positive predictive value of 78.5%, and a negative predictive value of 74.5%. Cronbach’s α was 0.82 (95% confidence interval: 0.80–0.84), and interclass correlation coefficients was 0.95. The AUC was >0.8 indicating excellent discrimination between NP and NNP. Conclusion: The CH-DN4 questionnaire has been found to be a reliable and valid screening tool with an excellent power to discriminate between NP and NNP.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Mini Nutritional Assessment in the elderly, Tehran, Iran

2010 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1373-1379 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bahareh Amirkalali ◽  
Farshad Sharifi ◽  
Hossein Fakhrzadeh ◽  
Mojde Mirarefin ◽  
Maryam Ghaderpanahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Predictive Value ◽  
Serum Albumin ◽  
Negative Predictive Value ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Nutritional Assessment ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Mini Nutritional Assessment ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

AbstractObjectiveTo determine whether the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) can screen and diagnose for malnutrition in the Iranian elderly.DesignThe MNA was administered to all volunteers. Each patient underwent anthropometric and serum albumin measurements. Reliability, validity, sensitivity, specificity, positive- and negative-predictive values were estimated. To identify optimal threshold values for predicting malnutrition, receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis was performed for MNA scores.SettingKahrizak Charity Foundation (Tehran, Iran).SubjectsTwo hundred and twenty-one consecutive elderly patients entered into the cross-sectional study. Amputees and patients with liver or renal disorders, oedema or any end-stage diseases were excluded.ResultsAccording to MNA score, 3·2 % were malnourished, 43·4 % were at risk of malnutrition and 53·4 % were well nourished. The proportions in these categories according to ideal body weight and serum albumin were 2·3 %, 17·1 % and 80·6 %, respectively. Cronbach’s α coefficient (reliability) was 0·61. The correlations between total MNA score, anthropometric values and serum albumin (criterion-related validity) were all significant. There were significant differences in total MNA score between two BMI groups but not between two categories according to serum albumin and skin ulcers (construct validity). The sensitivity and specificity of the MNA according to its established cut-off points were 82 % and 63 %, respectively. Positive-predictive value was 35 % and negative-predictive value was 93 %. By using the best cut-off point (MNA score of 22 according to Youden index), the sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive value and negative-predictive value were 88 %, 62 %, 57 % and 89 %, respectively.ConclusionsThe MNA with its established cut-off points may not be a good fit for Asian populations, including Iranian elderly.

scholarly journals Establishment and Characterization of an Empirical Biomarker SS/PV-ROC Plot Using Results of the UBC® Rapid Test in Bladder Cancer

Entropy ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Oehr ◽  
Thorsten Ecke
Keyword(s):  
Bladder Cancer ◽  
Roc Curve ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Rapid Test ◽  
Roc Curves ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Background: This investigation included both a study of potential non-invasive diagnostic approaches for the bladder cancer biomarker UBC® Rapid Test and a study including comparative methods about sensitivity–specificity characteristic (SS-ROC) and predictive receiver operating characteristic (PV-ROC) curves that used bladder cancer as a useful example. Methods: The study included 289 urine samples from patients with tumors of the urinary bladder, patients with non-evidence of disease (NED) and healthy controls. The UBC® Rapid Test is a qualitative point of care assay. Using a photometric reader, quantitative data can also be obtained. Data for pairs of sensitivity/specificity as well as positive/negative predictive values were created by variation of threshold values for the whole patient cohort, as well as for the tumor-free control group. Based on these data, sensitivity–specificity and predictive value threshold distribution curves were constructed and transformed into SS-ROC and PV-ROC curves, which were included in a single SS/PV-ROC plot. Results: The curves revealed TPP-asymmetric improper curves which cross the diagonal from above. Evaluation of the PV-ROC curve showed that two or more distinct positive predictive values (PPV) can correspond to the same value of a negative predictive value (NPV) and vice versa, indicating a complexity in PV-ROC curves which did not exist in SS-ROC curves. In contrast to the SS-ROC curve, the PV-ROC curve had neither an area under the curve (AUC) nor a range from 0% to 100%. Sensitivity of the qualitative assay was 58.5% and specificity 88.2%, PPV was 75.6% and NPV 77.3%, at a threshold value of approximately 12.5 µg/L. Conclusions: The SS/PV-ROC plot is a new diagnostic approach which can be used for direct judgement of gain and loss of predictive values, sensitivity and specificity according to varied threshold value changes, enabling characterization, comparison and evaluation of qualitative and quantitative bioassays.

Discriminating Malignancy in Thyroid Nodules: The Nomogram Versus the Kwak and ACR TI-RADS

2020 ◽  
Vol 163 (6) ◽  
pp. 1156-1165
Author(s):  
Juan Xiao ◽  
Qiang Xiao ◽  
Wei Cong ◽  
Ting Li ◽  
Shouluan Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Nodules ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Area Under The Curve ◽  
Diagnostic Study ◽  
Diagnostic Efficiency ◽  
Training Set ◽  
Multivariable Logistic Regression Model ◽  
Predictive Values ◽  
Validation Set ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Objective To develop an easy-to-use nomogram for discrimination of malignant thyroid nodules and to compare diagnostic efficiency with the Kwak and American College of Radiology (ACR) Thyroid Imaging, Reporting and Data System (TI-RADS). Study Design Retrospective diagnostic study. Setting The Second Hospital of Shandong University. Subjects and Methods From March 2017 to April 2019, 792 patients with 1940 thyroid nodules were included into the training set; from May 2019 to December 2019, 174 patients with 389 nodules were included into the validation set. Multivariable logistic regression model was used to develop a nomogram for discriminating malignant nodules. To compare the diagnostic performance of the nomogram with the Kwak and ACR TI-RADS, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Results The nomogram consisted of 7 factors: composition, orientation, echogenicity, border, margin, extrathyroidal extension, and calcification. In the training set, for all nodules, the area under the curve (AUC) for the nomogram was 0.844, which was higher than the Kwak TI-RADS (0.826, P = .008) and the ACR TI-RADS (0.810, P < .001). For the 822 nodules >1 cm, the AUC of the nomogram was 0.891, which was higher than the Kwak TI-RADS (0.852, P < .001) and the ACR TI-RADS (0.853, P < .001). In the validation set, the AUC of the nomogram was also higher than the Kwak and ACR TI-RADS ( P < .05), each in the whole series and separately for nodules >1 or ≤1 cm. Conclusions When compared with the Kwak and ACR TI-RADS, the nomogram had a better performance in discriminating malignant thyroid nodules.

scholarly journals Efficiency of non-invasive prenatal screening in pregnant women at advanced maternal age

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Zhu ◽  
Xiaoxiao Jin ◽  
Yuqing Xu ◽  
Weihua Zhang ◽  
Xiaodan Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Trisomy 21 ◽  
Maternal Age ◽  
Prenatal Screening ◽  
Advanced Maternal Age ◽  
Youden Index ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Sensitivity Specificity

Abstract Background Non-invasive prenatal screening (NIPS) is widely used as the alternative choice for pregnant women at high-risk of fetal aneuploidy. However, whether NIPS has a good detective efficiency for pregnant women at advanced maternal age (AMA) has not been fully studied especially in Chinese women. Methods Twenty-nine thousand three hundred forty-three pregnant women at AMA with singleton pregnancy who received NIPS and followed-up were recruited. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV), receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and the Youden Index for detecting fetal chromosomal aneuploidies were analyzed. The relationship between maternal age and common fetal chromosomal aneuploidy was observed. Results The sensitivity, specificity, PPV, NPV of NIPS for detecting fetal trisomy 21 were 99.11, 99.96, 90.98, and 100%, respectively. These same parameters for detecting fetal trisomy 18 were 100, 99.94, 67.92, and 100%, respectively. Finally, these parameters for detecting trisomy 13 were 100, 99.96, 27.78, and 100%, respectively. The prevalence of fetal trisomy 21 increased exponentially with maternal age. The high-risk percentage incidence rate of fetal trisomy 21 was significantly higher in the pregnant women at 37 years old or above than that in pregnant women at 35 to 37 years old. (Youden index = 37). Conclusion It is indicated that NIPS is an effective prenatal screening method for pregnant women at AMA.

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