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Coskun A. Bias in Laboratory Medicine: The Dark Side of the Moon. Ann Lab Med 2024; 44:6-20. [PMID: 37665281 PMCID: PMC10485854 DOI: 10.3343/alm.2024.44.1.6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Physicians increasingly use laboratory-produced information for disease diagnosis, patient monitoring, treatment planning, and evaluations of treatment effectiveness. Bias is the systematic deviation of laboratory test results from the actual value, which can cause misdiagnosis or misestimation of disease prognosis and increase healthcare costs. Properly estimating and treating bias can help to reduce laboratory errors, improve patient safety, and considerably reduce healthcare costs. A bias that is statistically and medically significant should be eliminated or corrected. In this review, the theoretical aspects of bias based on metrological, statistical, laboratory, and biological variation principles are discussed. These principles are then applied to laboratory and diagnostic medicine for practical use from clinical perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdurrahman Coskun
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Acibadem Mehmet Ali Aydinlar University, Istanbul, Turkey
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Farrance I, Frenkel R, Choy KW. Uncertainty in measurement and the renal tubular reabsorption of phosphate. Clin Chem Lab Med 2023; 61:2178-2185. [PMID: 37462507 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2023-0451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
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 Evaluation of measurement data - Guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian Farrance
- Discipline of Laboratory Medicine, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, VIC, Australia
| | - Robert Frenkel
- 96 Shirley Road, Roseville, NSW, 2069, Australia. Former affiliation: National Measurement Institute, West Lindfield, NSW, Australia
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Milinković N, Jovičić S. Measurement uncertainty. Adv Clin Chem 2023; 116:277-317. [PMID: 37852721 DOI: 10.1016/bs.acc.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Over time, the metrological concept of uncertainty in measurement has been very successfully integrated into laboratory sciences. For proper implementation, an understanding of specific metrology terminology and additional concepts such as metrology traceability and commutability is necessary. Although the original thinking about measurement uncertainty in laboratory medicine suggests the complexity of the concept, it basically refers to the result as the end product of the entire laboratory process. Although the data on measurement uncertainty can be expressed quantitatively, the basis of this concept is the continuous evaluation of all phases of the laboratory process. This means that laboratory experts should keep in mind that the extra-analytical phases (on which the uncertainty of the measurement results may depend the most) must be continuously monitored. The analytical phase can be "held in check" by established internal and external quality control processes. It is the internal/external quality control data that is used to calculate the numerical value of the measurement uncertainty of the measurement results. Although over time the awareness of laboratory experts regarding the concept of measurement uncertainty has increased, there are still many challenges that need to be followed, and the last one is how to achieve a balance between understanding, evaluation process and application of measurement uncertainty data of measurement results for complete and ultimate practical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Milinković
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Snežana Jovičić
- University of Belgrade-Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Medical Biochemistry, Belgrade, Serbia
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Zhou AL, Wu X, Youm J, Heller MB, Lam A. Cost-Effectiveness of Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty versus Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty for Arteriovenous Fistula Stenosis. Cardiovasc Intervent Radiol 2023; 46:1221-1230. [PMID: 36977902 DOI: 10.1007/s00270-023-03403-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the cost-effectiveness of drug-coated balloon angioplasty (DCB) versus plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) for treatment of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) stenosis. METHODS A Markov model was created to compare DCB versus POBA for AVF stenosis over a 2-year time horizon from a United States payer's perspective. Probabilities related to complications, restenosis, retreatment, and all-cause mortality were obtained from published literature. Costs were calculated using Medicare reimbursement rates and data from published cost analyses, inflation-adjusted to 2021. Health outcomes were measured with quality-adjusted life years (QALY). Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were performed with a willingness-to-pay threshold of $100,000/QALY. RESULTS Base case calculation showed better quality-of-life outcomes but increased cost with POBA compared to DCB, with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $27,413/QALY, making POBA the more cost-effective strategy in the base case model. Sensitivity analyses showed that DCB becomes cost-effective if the 24-month mortality rate after DCB is no more than 3.4% higher than that after POBA. In secondary analyses where mortality rates were equalized, DCB was more cost-effective than POBA until its additional cost reached more than $4213 per intervention. CONCLUSION When modeled from a payer's perspective over 2 years, the cost utility of DCB versus POBA varies with mortality outcomes. POBA is cost-effective if 2-year all-cause mortality after DCB is greater than 3.4% higher than after POBA. If 2-year mortality after DCB is less than 3.4% higher than after POBA, DCB is cost-effective until its additional cost per procedure exceeds $4213 more than POBA. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV HISTORICALLY CONTROLLED STUDY.: This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice L Zhou
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Xiao Wu
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jiwon Youm
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Michael B Heller
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Alexander Lam
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Coşkun A. Bias, the unfinished symphony. Biochem Med (Zagreb) 2022; 32:030402. [PMID: 36277430 PMCID: PMC9562803 DOI: 10.11613/bm.2022.030402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In laboratory medicine, mathematical equations are frequently used to calculate various parameters including bias, imprecision, measurement uncertainty, sigma metric (SM), creatinine clearance, LDL-cholesterol concentration, etc. Mathematical equations have strict limitations and cannot be used in all situations and are not open to manipulations. Recently, a paper “Bias estimation for Sigma metric calculation: Arithmetic mean versus quadratic mean” was published in Biochemia Medica. In the paper, the author criticized the approach of taking the arithmetic mean of the multiple biases to obtain a single bias and proposed a quadratic method to estimate the overall bias using external quality assurance services (EQAS) data for SM calculation. This approach does not fit the purpose and it should be noted that using the correct equation in calculations is as important as using the correct reagent in the measurement of the analytes, therefore before using an equation, its suitability should be checked and confirmed.
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Clark P, Mamotte CDS, Frenkel RB, Farrance I. Measurement uncertainty in the heterophil to lymphocyte ratio of birds. Vet Clin Pathol 2022; 51:196-200. [PMID: 35652383 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.13125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Phillip Clark
- Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | - Cyril D S Mamotte
- Curtin Medical School, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin University, Bentley, WA, Australia
| | | | - Ian Farrance
- School of Medical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Vic., Australia
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Kim HK, Lee M, Lee YH, Lee BW, Cha BS, Kang ES. Uric Acid Variability as a Predictive Marker of Newly Developed Cardiovascular Events in Type 2 Diabetes. Front Cardiovasc Med 2021; 8:775753. [PMID: 34926623 PMCID: PMC8674506 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.775753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with morbidity and mortality in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D). However, the role of serum uric acid as a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease is controversial. This study investigated whether uric acid variability was associated with new-onset symptomatic CVD in patients with T2D, requiring percutaneous coronary intervention. Methods: A total of 1,071 patients were enrolled in this retrospective cross-sectional study after propensity score matching. Patients with T2D and new-onset symptomatic CVD who received percutaneous coronary intervention for the first time, and with at least three consecutive 6-monthly measurements of serum uric acid were recruited from Severance Hospital between January 2015 and December 2019. Uric acid variability was measured by average successive variability (ASV) and analyzed to evaluate a possible correlation with the risk of developing CVD. Results: The patients were divided into quartiles based on the uric acid variability. Patients in the highest quartile were older and presented lower renal function and a higher mortality from CVD. There was a linear association between a high uric acid variability and the development of CVD. Compared to the lowest quartile, patients in the higher quartiles had a higher risk of CVD [quartile 3: adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.76; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.20-2.82; P = 0.019; quartile 4 aOR = 2.89; 95% CI, 1.74-4.80; P < 0.001]. Conclusion: High uric acid variability is independently associated with an increased risk of new-onset symptomatic CVD requiring percutaneous coronary intervention in patients with T2D. Thus, maintaining serum uric acid in a narrow range by prescribing effective medications is essential to prevent new-onset CVD in patients with T2D. Nonetheless, the potential use of uric acid variability as a predictive marker of CVD in patients with T2D needs further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hae Kyung Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Minyoung Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yong-Ho Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Endocrine Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Byung-Wan Lee
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Endocrine Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Bong-Soo Cha
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Endocrine Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eun Seok Kang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.,Institute of Endocrine Research, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
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Lévy P, Hamdi S, Guiboudenche J, Haguet MC, Bailleul S, Lefèvre G. Applying the concept of uncertainty to the sFlt-1/PlGF cut-offs for diagnosis and prognosis of preeclampsia. Clin Chem Lab Med 2021; 59:681-686. [PMID: 33645933 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2020-0477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) assays and the corresponding ratios (sFlt-1/PlGF) have been proposed to aid in the diagnosis by exclusion and/or prognosis of preeclampsia (PE). A method for evaluating ratio uncertainties (RUs), based on the theory of error propagation, was applied to the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio. METHODS RUs were calculated using data derived from sFlt-1 and PlGF Internal Quality Control (IQC) results collected from four centers using Elecsys (Roche) or Kryptor (Thermo Fisher) sFlt-1 and PlGF assays. The corresponding ratio uncertainties were defined for each ratio value. RESULTS The RUs increased linearly with the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio values. The Elecsys RUs were lower than the Kryptor RUs. Although RUs cannot eliminate differences in ratio values observed among various immunoassays, it can affect interpretation of the sFlt-1/PlGF ratio, especially when results are within the range of predefined PE diagnosis or prognosis cut-offs. CONCLUSIONS Since RUs are only a function of PlGF and sFlt-1 precision, they can be calculated for each assay from each laboratory to adjust the interpretation of sFlt-1/PlGF ratio results in the context of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pacifique Lévy
- Biochemistry Department, Tenon Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Safouane Hamdi
- Biochemistry Department, CHU Toulouse, Toulouse III University, Toulouse, France
| | - Jean Guiboudenche
- Endocrinology Department, Cochin Hospital, AP-HP, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Marie Clothilde Haguet
- Biochemistry Department, Armand Trousseau Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Sophie Bailleul
- Biochemistry Department, Tenon Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - Guillaume Lefèvre
- Biochemistry Department, Tenon Hospital, AP-HP, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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