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Ammer T, Schützenmeister A, Prokosch HU, Rauh M, Rank CM, Zierk J. A pipeline for the fully automated estimation of continuous reference intervals using real-world data. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13440. [PMID: 37596314 PMCID: PMC10439150 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40561-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Reference intervals are essential for interpreting laboratory test results. Continuous reference intervals precisely capture physiological age-specific dynamics that occur throughout life, and thus have the potential to improve clinical decision-making. However, established approaches for estimating continuous reference intervals require samples from healthy individuals, and are therefore substantially restricted. Indirect methods operating on routine measurements enable the estimation of one-dimensional reference intervals, however, no automated approach exists that integrates the dependency on a continuous covariate like age. We propose an integrated pipeline for the fully automated estimation of continuous reference intervals expressed as a generalized additive model for location, scale and shape based on discrete model estimates using an indirect method (refineR). The results are free of subjective user-input, enable conversion of test results into z-scores and can be integrated into laboratory information systems. Comparison of our results to established and validated reference intervals from the CALIPER and PEDREF studies and manufacturers' package inserts shows good agreement of reference limits, indicating that the proposed pipeline generates high-quality results. In conclusion, the developed pipeline enables the generation of high-precision percentile charts and continuous reference intervals. It represents the first parameter-less and fully automated solution for the indirect estimation of continuous reference intervals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatjana Ammer
- Chair of Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
- Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Penzberg, Germany
| | | | - Hans-Ulrich Prokosch
- Chair of Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Rauh
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Loschgestr. 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Jakob Zierk
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Loschgestr. 15, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
- Center of Medical Information and Communication Technology, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.
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Haeckel R, Wosniok W, Streichert T. Review of potentials and limitations of indirect approaches for estimating reference limits/intervals of quantitative procedures in laboratory medicine. J LAB MED 2021. [DOI: 10.1515/labmed-2020-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Reference intervals (RIs) can be determined by direct and indirect procedures. Both approaches identify a reference population from which the RIs are defined. The crucial difference between direct and indirect methods is that direct methods select particular individuals after individual anamnesis and medical examination have confirmed the absence of pathological conditions. These individuals form a reference subpopulation. Indirect methods select a reference subpopulation in which the individuals are not identified. They isolate a reference population from a mixed population of patients with pathological and non-pathological conditions by statistical reasoning.
At present, the direct procedure internationally recommended is the “gold standard”. It has, however, the disadvantage of high expenses which cannot easily be afforded by most medical laboratories. Therefore, laboratories adopt RIs established by direct methods from external sources requiring a high responsibility for transference problems which are usually neglected by most laboratories. These difficulties can be overcome by indirect procedures which can easily be performed by most laboratories without causing economic problems.
The present review focuses on indirect approaches. Various procedures are presented with their benefits and limitations. Preliminary simulation studies indicate that more recently developed concepts are superior to older approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rainer Haeckel
- Bremer Zentrum für Laboratoriumsmedizin, Klinikum Bremen Mitte , Bremen , Germany
| | - Werner Wosniok
- Institut für Statistik, Universität Bremen , Bremen , Germany
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Zierk J, Baum H, Bertram A, Boeker M, Buchwald A, Cario H, Christoph J, Frühwald MC, Groß HJ, Groening A, Gscheidmeier T, Hoff T, Hoffmann R, Klauke R, Krebs A, Lichtinghagen R, Mühlenbrock-Lenter S, Neumann M, Nöllke P, Niemeyer CM, Ruf HG, Steigerwald U, Streichert T, Torge A, Yoshimi-Nöllke A, Prokosch HU, Metzler M, Rauh M. High-resolution pediatric reference intervals for 15 biochemical analytes described using fractional polynomials. Clin Chem Lab Med 2021; 59:1267-1278. [PMID: 33565284 DOI: 10.1515/cclm-2020-1371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Assessment of children's laboratory test results requires consideration of the extensive changes that occur during physiological development and result in pronounced sex- and age-specific dynamics in many biochemical analytes. Pediatric reference intervals have to account for these dynamics, but ethical and practical challenges limit the availability of appropriate pediatric reference intervals that cover children from birth to adulthood. We have therefore initiated the multi-center data-driven PEDREF project (Next-Generation Pediatric Reference Intervals) to create pediatric reference intervals using data from laboratory information systems. METHODS We analyzed laboratory test results from 638,683 patients (217,883-982,548 samples per analyte, a median of 603,745 test results per analyte, and 10,298,067 test results in total) performed during patient care in 13 German centers. Test results from children with repeat measurements were discarded, and we estimated the distribution of physiological test results using a validated statistical approach (kosmic). RESULTS We report continuous pediatric reference intervals and percentile charts for alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, lactate dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyl-transferase, total protein, albumin, creatinine, urea, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, anorganic phosphate, and magnesium. Reference intervals are provided as tables and fractional polynomial functions (i.e., mathematical equations) that can be integrated into laboratory information systems. Additionally, Z-scores and percentiles enable the normalization of test results by age and sex to facilitate their interpretation across age groups. CONCLUSIONS The provided reference intervals and percentile charts enable precise assessment of laboratory test results in children from birth to adulthood. Our findings highlight the pronounced dynamics in many biochemical analytes in neonates, which require particular consideration in reference intervals to support clinical decision making most effectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Zierk
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany.,Center of Medical Information and Communication Technology, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hannsjörg Baum
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine, Regionale Kliniken Holding RKH GmbH, Ludwigsburg, Germany
| | | | - Martin Boeker
- Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics, Medical Data Science, Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Armin Buchwald
- Institute for Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Holger Cario
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Medical Centre, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Michael C Frühwald
- Paediatric and Adolescent Medicine, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Groß
- Core Facility of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Centre Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Thomas Gscheidmeier
- Core Facility of Clinical Chemistry, University Medical Centre Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Torsten Hoff
- Central Laboratory, Gesundheit Nord - Bremen Hospital Group, Bremen, Germany
| | - Reinhard Hoffmann
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Rainer Klauke
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, MHH, Hannover, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Michael Neumann
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Peter Nöllke
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Charlotte M Niemeyer
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Georg Ruf
- Institute for Laboratory Medicine and Microbiology, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Udo Steigerwald
- Division of Laboratory Medicine, University Hospital of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Streichert
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Antje Torge
- Institute of Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Ayami Yoshimi-Nöllke
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Ulrich Prokosch
- Chair of Medical Informatics, Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Metzler
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Manfred Rauh
- Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
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