-
British Journal of Anaesthesia Jul 2019
Topics: Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Hypersensitivity; Skin Tests
PubMed: 30982563
DOI: 10.1016/j.bja.2019.03.010 -
Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis Apr 2022Update diagnostic methods play essential roles in dealing with the current global malaria situation and decreasing malaria incidence. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Update diagnostic methods play essential roles in dealing with the current global malaria situation and decreasing malaria incidence.
AIM
Global malaria control programs require the availability of adequate laboratory tests in the quick and convenient field.
RESULTS
There are several methods to find out the existence of parasites within the blood. The oldest one is by microscopy, which is still a gold standard, although rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have rapidly become a primary diagnostic test in many endemic areas. Because of microscopy and RDTs limitation, novel serological and molecular methods have been developed. Many kinds of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) provide rapid results and higher specificity and sensitivity. The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) and biosensing-based molecular techniques as point of care tests (POCT) will become a cost-effective approach to advance diagnostic testing.
CONCLUSION
Despite conventional techniques are still being used in the field, the exploration and field implementation of advanced techniques for the diagnosis of malaria are still being developed rapidly.
Topics: Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Malaria; Microscopy; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; Point-of-Care Testing; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sensitivity and Specificity
PubMed: 35247002
DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24314 -
Chembiochem : a European Journal of... Oct 2020Fast and widespread diagnosis is crucial to fighting against the outbreak of COVID-19. This work surveys the landscape of available and emerging biosensor technologies... (Review)
Review
Fast and widespread diagnosis is crucial to fighting against the outbreak of COVID-19. This work surveys the landscape of available and emerging biosensor technologies for COVID-19 testing. Molecular diagnostic assays based on quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction are used in most clinical laboratories. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed testing capacity and motivated the development of fast point-of-care tests and the adoption of isothermal DNA amplification. Antigenic and serological rapid tests based on lateral-flow immunoassays suffer from low sensitivity. Advanced digital systems enhance performance at the expense of speed and the need for large equipment. Emerging technologies, including CRISPR gene-editing tools, benefit from high sensitivity and specificity of molecular diagnostics and the easy use of lateral-flow assays. DNA sequencing and sample pooling strategies are highlighted to bring out the full capacity of the available biosensor technologies and accelerate mass testing.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; Biosensing Techniques; COVID-19; COVID-19 Testing; Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Coronavirus Infections; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Immunoassay; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 32367615
DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202000250 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Jul 2019
Topics: Biostatistics; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Sample Size
PubMed: 30986555
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2019.04.011 -
Korean Journal of Radiology Mar 2022
-
Neuro-oncology Feb 2021
Topics: Diagnostic Imaging; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Glioblastoma; Glioma; Humans; Prognosis
PubMed: 33630091
DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noaa290 -
Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory... Feb 2023Some laboratory testing practices may be of low value, leading to wasted resources and potential patient harm. Our scoping review investigated factors and processes... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Some laboratory testing practices may be of low value, leading to wasted resources and potential patient harm. Our scoping review investigated factors and processes that developers report using to inform decisions about what tests to target for practice improvement.
METHODS
We searched Medline on May 30th, 2019 and June 28th, 2021 and included guidelines, recommendation statements, or empirical studies related to test ordering practices. Studies were included if they were conducted in a tertiary care setting, reported making a choice about a specific test requiring intervention, and reported at least one factor informing that choice. We extracted descriptive details, tests chosen, processes used to make the choice, and factors guiding test choice.
RESULTS
From 114 eligible studies, we identified 30 factors related to test choice including clinical value, cost, prevalence of test, quality of test, and actionability of test results. We identified nine different processes used to inform decisions regarding where to spend intervention resources.
CONCLUSIONS
Intervention developers face difficult choices when deciding where to put scarce resources intended to improve test utilization. Factors and processes identified here can be used to inform a framework to help intervention developers make choices relevant to improving testing practices.
Topics: Humans; Laboratories, Hospital; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Clinical Relevance
PubMed: 36410390
DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2022-0910 -
Microvascular Research May 2023Up to 30 % of patients with psoriasis (PsO) develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and diagnosis can be difficult. Nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) is an easily applicable,... (Review)
Review
Up to 30 % of patients with psoriasis (PsO) develop psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and diagnosis can be difficult. Nailfold capillaroscopy (NC) is an easily applicable, non-invasive procedure to assess skin microcirculation. This systematic review investigates NC as diagnostic tool for PsO and PsA, including correlations between NC outcome measures to clinical and laboratory outcome measures. This systematic review was built on the PICO and PRISMA guidelines. In total 22 relevant studies were found Searching in the Web of Science, PubMed and Embase, latest update June 13th, 2022. The following NC outcome measures are found to be significantly more prevalent in PsO patients than healthy controls: reduced density, reduced length and more abnormal morphology. Likewise, in PsA patients, reduced density, more abnormal morphology, more microhaemorrhages and fewer hairpin shapes are found to be significantly more prevalent. Results were non-conclusive in terms of disease activity and duration with NC findings. Random-effects meta-analysis showed a significant reduction of density in PsO patients compared to healthy controls (studies: 6, n = 249; SMD = -0.91; 95 % CI [-1.41, -0.40], p = 0.0058, heterogeneity I=74 %, AUC = 0.740) and in PsA patients compared to healthy controls (studies: 5, n = 130; SMD = -1.22; 95 % CI [-2.38, -0.06], p = 0.0432, heterogeneity I=89 %, AUC = 0.806). No NC outcome measures were overall conclusive in differentiating PsO from PsA. Considering the conflicting results and small sample sizes further large-scale research on the identification of capillaroscopic changes in PsO and PsA and correlations with standardised clinical and laboratory outcome measures are necessary.
Topics: Humans; Arthritis, Psoriatic; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Health Status; Microscopic Angioscopy; Psoriasis
PubMed: 36657709
DOI: 10.1016/j.mvr.2023.104476 -
Nutricion Hospitalaria Dec 2020
Topics: Deglutition Disorders; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Food Additives; Humans; Sensation; Viscosity
PubMed: 33119400
DOI: 10.20960/nh.03399 -
Journal of Clinical Epidemiology Jan 2021New diagnostic tests to identify a well-established disease state must undergo a series of scientific studies from test construction to finally demonstrating a societal...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
New diagnostic tests to identify a well-established disease state must undergo a series of scientific studies from test construction to finally demonstrating a societal impact. Traditionally, these studies are performed with substantial time gaps in between, resulting in a long time period from the initial idea to roll out in clinical practice including reimbursement. Seamless designs allowing us to combine a sequence of studies in one protocol may hence accelerate this process. Currently, a systematic investigation of the potential of seamless designs in diagnostic research is lacking.
METHODS
We identify major study types in diagnostic research and their basic characteristics with respect to the application of seamless designs. This information is used to identify major hurdles and opportunities for seamless designs.
RESULTS
The following major study types were identified: Variable construction studies, cut point finding studies, variable value studies, single-arm accuracy studies, comparative accuracy studies, change-in-management studies, observational discordant pair studies, randomized discordant pair studies, and randomized diagnostic studies. The following characteristics were identified: Type of recruitment (case-control vs. population-based), application of a reference standard, inclusion of a comparator, paired or unpaired application of a comparator, assessment of patient-relevant outcomes, and possibility for blinding of test results. Two basic hurdles could be identified: 1) Accuracy studies are hard to combine with postaccuracy studies in a seamless design for the following reasons. First, because the former are required to justify the latter and application of a reference test in outcome studies may be a threat to the integrity of the study. 2) Randomized diagnostic studies are probably best placed as singular studies at the end of the process, as all other questions should be clarified before performing such a study. However, otherwise there is a substantial potential for seamless designs. All steps from the construction to the comparison with the comparator can be combined in one protocol. This may include a switch from case-control to population-based recruitment as well as a switch from a single-arm study to a comparative accuracy study. In addition, change-in-management studies can be combined with an outcome study in discordant pairs.
CONCLUSION
There is a potential for seamless designs in diagnostic research. It is wise to have the whole sequence of necessary studies in mind and to plan a full programme than rather individual studies one by one.
Topics: Comparative Effectiveness Research; Data Accuracy; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Humans; Patient Selection; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Reference Standards; Research Design; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 32991994
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2020.09.019