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Blood Pressure Dec 2023Arterial hypertension (HT) is a main, potentially reversible cardiovascular risk factor. Long lasting HT leads to hypertension mediated organ damage (HMOD) of heart,... (Review)
Review
Arterial hypertension (HT) is a main, potentially reversible cardiovascular risk factor. Long lasting HT leads to hypertension mediated organ damage (HMOD) of heart, vascular bed, and kidneys. Assessment of HMOD is a standard diagnostic procedure in hypertensive adults and presence of HMOD is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. The assessment of main HMOD markers includes the assessment of left ventricular mass, carotid intima-media thickness, arterial stiffness expressed as pulse wave velocity, and assessment of microcirculation. In contrast to adults, proper interpretation of obtained results of HMOD must be adjusted to age and sex referential values. In the last two decades, numerous studies describing HMOD in children with hypertension have been published, including meta-analyses evaluating various methods of HMOD assessment. Here, we present current state of the art and discuss recommendations on HMOD evaluation in hypertensive children.
Topics: Adolescent; Child; Humans; Blood Pressure; Carotid Intima-Media Thickness; Heart; Hypertension; Pulse Wave Analysis
PubMed: 37259507
DOI: 10.1080/08037051.2023.2212085 -
GE Portuguese Journal of... Apr 2024The role of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of the small bowel is well established, and current guidelines position it as a first-line test in a variety of clinical... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
The role of capsule endoscopy in the evaluation of the small bowel is well established, and current guidelines position it as a first-line test in a variety of clinical scenarios. The advent of double-headed capsules further enabled the endoscopic assessment of colonic mucosa and the opportunity for a one-step noninvasive examination of the entire bowel (pan-enteric capsule endoscopy [PCE]).
SUMMARY
We reviewed the technical procedure and preparation of patients for PCE, as well as its current clinical applications and future perspectives. In non-stricturing and non-penetrating Crohn's disease affecting the small bowel and colon, PCE monitors disease activity by assessing mucosal healing, a major treatment outcome, with a higher diagnostic yield than cross-sectional imaging or conventional colonoscopy. Also in ulcerative colitis, double-headed capsules have been used to monitor disease activity noninvasively. Currently, validated scoring systems have been specifically devised for these double-headed capsules and permit a standardized assessment of the inflammatory burden. In suspected mid-lower digestive bleeding, some exploratory studies have demonstrated the feasibility and high diagnostic yield of PCE, which may work as a filter indicating which patients may benefit of further invasive procedures, namely, for planned hemostatic procedures. The possibility of using PCE is also discussed in the context of polyposis syndromes with simultaneous involvement of the small intestine and colon.
KEY MESSAGES
PCE is a feasible, effective, and safe diagnostic procedure to evaluate the small bowel and colon. It has been increasingly explored in the setting of inflammatory bowel diseases and, more recently, in suspected mid-lower digestive bleeding. PCE is expected to reduce the demand for invasive procedures and expand the scope of noninvasive intestinal evaluation in the coming future.
PubMed: 38572440
DOI: 10.1159/000533960 -
American Journal of Audiology Sep 2023This study examined current auditory processing disorder (APD) protocols and audiologists' perspectives on the active debate seen in the literature regarding the status...
PURPOSE
This study examined current auditory processing disorder (APD) protocols and audiologists' perspectives on the active debate seen in the literature regarding the status of APD as a unique disorder.
METHOD
This study used a cross-sectional, nonexperimental survey design. The participants were 134 U.S. audiologists, representing diversity across experience level and work setting.
RESULTS
Popular APD tests from prior surveys remain popular, and a few new tests have emerged. Most audiologists use diverse strategies to identify potential comorbid disorders as part of their APD protocol, including multidisciplinary assessment and referral to other specialists. Most participants disagreed with the assertion that APD is not a unique disorder; however, many also pointed out that patients' struggles with listening need to be the primary focus of APD assessment and management, regardless of the label of the disorder. Qualitative analysis of participant comments on the controversy yielded six themes: Clinical Experience, Comorbidity, Listening Skills, Literature Support, Overdiagnosis, and More Information Needed.
CONCLUSION
Most participants consider APD to be a unique disorder, citing clinical experience and the literature for support; however, many also indicated APD is complicated by comorbidity and APD may be overdiagnosed.
Topics: Humans; Audiologists; Auditory Perceptual Disorders; Cross-Sectional Studies; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Referral and Consultation; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 37625132
DOI: 10.1044/2023_AJA-23-00035 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Sep 2023: Treatment of advanced lung cancer (LC) has become increasingly personalized over the past decade due to an improved understanding of tumor molecular biology and... (Review)
Review
: Treatment of advanced lung cancer (LC) has become increasingly personalized over the past decade due to an improved understanding of tumor molecular biology and antitumor immunity. The main task of a pulmonologist oncologist is to establish a tumor diagnosis and, ideally, to confirm the stage of the disease with the least invasive technique possible. : The paper will summarize published reviews and original papers, as well as published clinical studies and case reports, which studied the role and compared the methods of invasive pulmonology diagnostics to obtain adequate tumor tissue samples for molecular analysis, thereby determining the most effective molecular treatments. : Bronchoscopy is often recommended as the initial diagnostic procedure for LC. If the tumor is endoscopically visible, the biopsy sample is susceptible to molecular testing, the same as tumor tissue samples obtained from surgical resection and mediastinoscopy. The use of new sampling methods, such as cryobiopsy for peripheral tumor lesions or cytoblock obtained by ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA), enables obtaining adequate small biopsies and cytological samples for molecular testing, which have until recently been considered unsuitable for this type of analysis. During LC patients' treatment, resistance occurs due to changes in the mutational tumor status or pathohistological tumor type. Therefore, the repeated taking of liquid biopsies for molecular analysis or rebiopsy of tumor tissue for new pathohistological and molecular profiling has recently been mandated. : In thoracic oncology, preference should be given to the least invasive diagnostic procedure providing a sample for histology rather than for cytology. However, there is increasing evidence that, when properly processed, cytology samples can be sufficient for both the cancer diagnosis and molecular analyses. A good knowledge of diagnostic procedures is essential for LC diagnosing and treatment in the personalized therapy era.
Topics: Humans; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung; Lung Neoplasms; Bronchoscopy; Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques
PubMed: 37893442
DOI: 10.3390/medicina59101723 -
Current Urology Reports May 2024Uroflowmetry is widely used for initial non-invasive evaluation of lower urinary tract disorders. Current clinical use is mostly restricted to a scrutiny of the maximum... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Uroflowmetry is widely used for initial non-invasive evaluation of lower urinary tract disorders. Current clinical use is mostly restricted to a scrutiny of the maximum flow rate and uroflow pattern recorded by a conventional flowmeter in a health care facility. There are several advancements in our understanding and in available technologies that promise to transform clinical utilization of this simple test.
RECENT FINDINGS
Several aspects of the uroflow test in addition to maximum flow rate and uroflow pattern show potential diagnostic utility. This includes flow acceleration, uroflow indices, uroflow-electromyography including lag time, stop uroflow test, and uroflow-based nomograms. There are initial attempts to use artificial intelligence in analysis. There is also new data with regard to factors influencing variability of uroflow testing that might influence the diagnostic value in as yet uncertain ways including diurnal variability, postural variability, locational variability, and operator variability. There are new technologies for uroflow testing in a home environment allowing for easy repetition. However, there are several challenges owing to a paucity of clinical data and standardization. There are also critical lacunae in terminology that need to be addressed. There are exciting new advancements in the field of uroflowmetry. However, there is need to standardize and validate the newer uroflow tracing analyses and technologies.
Topics: Humans; Artificial Intelligence; Urodynamics; Urinary Bladder; Urologic Diseases; Diagnostic Tests, Routine
PubMed: 38416321
DOI: 10.1007/s11934-024-01200-0 -
PloS One 2023We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to find out whether PCT and MDW could be used as accurate diagnostic markers for sepsis. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
AIM
We aimed to perform a meta-analysis to find out whether PCT and MDW could be used as accurate diagnostic markers for sepsis.
METHODS
We searched PUBMED, WOS, and SCOPUS databases. Inclusion criteria were any observational or clinical trials that compared monocyte Distribution Width [MDW] with Procalcitonin [PCT] as diagnostic markers in a patient with sepsis. Case reports, editorials, conference abstracts, and animal studies were excluded. RevMan software [5.4] was used to perform the meta-analysis.
RESULTS
After the complete screening, 5 observational studies were included in the meta-analysis. The total number of patients included in the meta-analysis in the sepsis group is 565 and 781 in the control group. The pooled analysis between the sepsis group and controls showed a statistically significant association between sepsis and increased levels of MDW and PCT [MD = 3.94, 95% CI = 2.53 to 5.36, p-value < 0.00001] and [MD = 9.29, 95% CI = 0.67 to 17.91, p-value = 0.03] respectively. Moreover, the subgroup analysis showed that the p-value of MDW levels [< 0.00001] is more significant than the p-value of PCT levels = 0.03, the p-value between the two subgroups [< 0.00001]. Additionally, the overall ROC Area for MDW [0.790] > the overall ROC Area for PCT [0.760].
CONCLUSION
Our study revealed a statistically significant association between sepsis and increased MDW and PCT levels compared with controls and the overall ROC Area for MDW is higher than the overall ROC Area for PCT, indicating that the diagnostic accuracy of MDW is higher than PCT.MDW can be used as a diagnostic marker for sepsis patients in the emergency department. More multicenter studies are needed to support our findings.
Topics: Humans; Procalcitonin; Biomarkers; Monocytes; ROC Curve; Sepsis; Diagnostic Tests, Routine
PubMed: 37535683
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288203 -
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology :... Dec 2024The diagnosis of endometriomas in patients with endometriosis is of primary importance because it influences the management and prognosis of infertility and pain.... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
The diagnosis of endometriomas in patients with endometriosis is of primary importance because it influences the management and prognosis of infertility and pain. Imaging techniques are evolving constantly. This study aimed to systematically assess the diagnostic accuracy of transvaginal ultrasound (TVUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting endometrioma using the surgical visualisation of lesions with or without histopathological confirmation as reference standards in patients of reproductive age with suspected endometriosis.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched from their inception to 12 October 2022, using a manual search for additional articles. Two authors independently performed title, abstract and full-text screening of the identified records, extracted study details and quantitative data and assessed the quality of the studies using the 'Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Study 2' tool. Bivariate random-effects models were used to determine the pooled sensitivity and specificity, compare the two imaging modalities and evaluate the sources of heterogeneity.
RESULTS
Sixteen prospective studies (10 assessing TVUS, 4 assessing MRI and 2 assessing both TVUS and MRI) were included, representing 1976 participants. Pooled TVUS and MRI sensitivities for endometrioma were 0.89 (95% confidence interval 'CI', 0.86-0.92) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.74-0.99), respectively (indirect comparison -value of 0.47). Pooled TVUS and MRI specificities for endometrioma were 0.95 (95% CI, 0.92-0.97) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.89-0.97), respectively (indirect comparison p-value of 0.51). These studies had a high or unclear risk of bias. A direct comparison (all participants undergoing TVUS and MRI) of the modalities was available in only two studies.
CONCLUSION
TVUS and MRI have high accuracy for diagnosing endometriomas; however, high-quality studies comparing the two modalities are lacking.
Topics: Female; Humans; Endometriosis; Prospective Studies; Ultrasonography; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Sensitivity and Specificity; Diagnostic Tests, Routine
PubMed: 38348799
DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2024.2311664 -
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... Nov 2023The ratio of tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphate to glomerular filtration rate (TmP/GFR) is used to evaluate renal phosphate transport. TmP/GFR is most probably...
OBJECTIVES
The ratio of tubular maximum reabsorption of phosphate to glomerular filtration rate (TmP/GFR) is used to evaluate renal phosphate transport. TmP/GFR is most probably calculated using the formula described by Kenny and Glen or obtained from the nomogram described by Walton and Bijvoet. Even though the calculation itself is well described, no attention has been given to its measurement uncertainty (MU). The aim of this study is to provide a procedure for evaluating the MU of the Kenny and Glen formula; a procedure which is based on the (GUM).
METHODS
TmP/GFR is a quantity value calculated from the input of measured values for serum (plasma) phosphate and creatinine, plus measured values of urine phosphate and creatinine. Given the measurement uncertainty associated with these input quantities, the GUM describes the mathematical procedures required to determine the uncertainty of the calculated TmP/GFR. From a medical laboratory perspective, these input uncertainties are the standard deviations of the respective internal quality control estimates for serum and urine phosphate, plus serum and urine creatinine.
RESULTS
Based on representative measurements for the input quantities and their associated standard uncertainties, the expanded relative uncertainty for a calculated TmP/GFR is approximately 3.0-4.5 %.
CONCLUSIONS
With the continued relevance of the TmP/GFR procedure and the use of creatinine clearance as an estimate of GFR, the addition of an uncertainty estimate is important as an adjunct to this diagnostic procedure.
Topics: Humans; Phosphates; Kidney Tubules; Creatinine; Uncertainty; Glomerular Filtration Rate
PubMed: 37462507
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0451 -
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... Jun 2024The EFLM Task and Finish Group Urinalysis has updated the ECLM European Urinalysis Guidelines (2000) on urinalysis and urine bacterial culture, to improve accuracy of...
BACKGROUND
The EFLM Task and Finish Group Urinalysis has updated the ECLM European Urinalysis Guidelines (2000) on urinalysis and urine bacterial culture, to improve accuracy of these examinations in European clinical laboratories, and to support diagnostic industry to develop new technologies.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Graded recommendations were built in the following areas.
MEDICAL NEEDS AND TEST REQUISITION
Strategies of urine testing are described to patients with complicated or uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI), and high or low-risk to kidney disease.
SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Patient preparation, and urine collection are supported with two quality indicators: contamination rate (cultures), and density of urine (chemistry, particles).
CHEMISTRY
Measurements of both urine albumin and α1-microglobulin are recommended for sensitive detection of kidney disease in high-risk patients. Performance specifications are given for urine protein measurements and quality control of multiproperty strip tests.
PARTICLES
Procedures for microscopy are reviewed for diagnostic urine particles, including urine bacteria. Technologies in automated particle counting and visual microscopy are updated with advice how to verify new instruments with the reference microscopy.
BACTERIOLOGY
Chromogenic agar is recommended as primary medium in urine cultures. Limits of significant growth are reviewed, with an optimised workflow for routine specimens, using leukocyturia to reduce less important antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Automation in bacteriology is encouraged to shorten turn-around times. Matrix assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry is applicable for rapid identification of uropathogens. and are taken into the list of uropathogens. A reference examination procedure was developed for urine bacterial cultures.
PubMed: 38534005
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2024-0070 -
Ageing Research Reviews Jan 2024Biomarkers are emerging as a potential tool for screening or diagnosing sarcopenia. We aimed to summarize the current evidence on the diagnostic test accuracy of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Biomarkers are emerging as a potential tool for screening or diagnosing sarcopenia. We aimed to summarize the current evidence on the diagnostic test accuracy of biomarkers for sarcopenia. We comprehensively searched Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to January 2023 and only included diagnostic test accuracy studies. We identified 32 studies with 23,840 participants (women, 58.26%) that assessed a total of 30 biomarkers. The serum creatinine to cystatin C ratio (Cr/CysC) demonstrated a pooled sensitivity ranging from 51% (95% confidence interval [CI] 44-59%) to 86% (95% CI 70-95%) and a pooled specificity ranged from 55% (95% CI 38-70%) to 76% (95% CI 63-86%) for diagnosing sarcopenia defined by five different diagnostic criteria (11 studies, 7240 participants). The aspartate aminotransferase to alanine aminotransferase ratio demonstrated a pooled sensitivity of 62% (95% CI 56-67%) and a pooled specificity of 66% (95% CI 60-72%) (3 studies, 11,146 participants). The other 28 blood biomarkers exhibited low-to-moderate diagnostic accuracy for sarcopenia regardless of the reference standards. In conclusion, none of these biomarkers are optimal for screening or diagnosing sarcopenia. Well-designed studies are needed to explore and validate novel biomarkers for sarcopenia.
Topics: Humans; Female; Sensitivity and Specificity; Sarcopenia; Biomarkers; Diagnostic Tests, Routine
PubMed: 38036104
DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2023.102148