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Michael TJF, Chan JS, Hughes S, Wright DFB, Coleshill MJ, Hughes DA, Day RO, Aslani P, Stocker SL. The experiences and perspectives of people with gout on urate self-monitoring. Health Expect 2024; 27:e14071. [PMID: 38742836 PMCID: PMC11092534 DOI: 10.1111/hex.14071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Gout management remains suboptimal despite safe and effective urate-lowering therapy. Self-monitoring of urate may improve gout management, however, the acceptability of urate self-monitoring by people with gout is unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of urate self-monitoring in people with gout. METHODS Semistructured interviews were conducted with people taking urate-lowering therapy (N = 30) in a 12-month trial of urate self-monitoring in rural and urban Australia. Interviews covered the experience of monitoring and its effect on gout self-management. Deidentified transcripts were analysed thematically. RESULTS Participants valued the ability to self-monitor and gain more understanding of urate control compared with the annual monitoring ordered by their doctors. Participants indicated that self-monitoring at home was easy, convenient and informed gout self-management behaviours such as dietary modifications, hydration, exercise and medication routines. Many participants self-monitored to understand urate concentration changes in response to feeling a gout flare was imminent or whether their behaviours, for example, alcohol intake, increased the risk of a gout flare. Urate concentrations were shared with doctors mainly when they were above target to seek management support, and this led to allopurinol dose increases in some cases. CONCLUSION Urate self-monitoring was viewed by people with gout as convenient and useful for independent management of gout. They believed self-monitoring achieved better gout control with a less restricted lifestyle. Urate data was shared with doctors at the patient's discretion and helped inform clinical decisions, such as allopurinol dose changes. Further research on implementing urate self-monitoring in routine care would enable an evaluation of its impact on medication adherence and clinical outcomes, as well as inform gout management guidelines. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION One person with gout, who was not a participant, was involved in the study design by providing feedback and pilot testing the semistructured interview guide. In response to their feedback, subsequent modifications to the interview guide were made to improve the understandability of the questions from a patient perspective. No additional questions were suggested.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toni J. F. Michael
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jian S. Chan
- St Vincent's Clinical School Campus, Faculty of MedicineThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Stephen Hughes
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Daniel F. B. Wright
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- St Vincent's Clinical School Campus, Faculty of MedicineThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and ToxicologySt Vincent's HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Matthew J. Coleshill
- Black Dog Institute, Faculty of MedicineThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Dyfrig A. Hughes
- Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation, North Wales Medical SchoolBangor UniversityWalesUK
| | - Richard O. Day
- St Vincent's Clinical School Campus, Faculty of MedicineThe University of New South WalesSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and ToxicologySt Vincent's HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Parisa Aslani
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Sophie L. Stocker
- School of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Department of Clinical Pharmacology and ToxicologySt Vincent's HospitalSydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Infectious Diseases Institute, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
- Sydney Musculoskeletal Health, Faculty of Medicine and HealthThe University of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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Ansu-Mensah M, Bawontuo V, Kuupiel D, Ginindza TG. Sustainable solutions to barriers of point-of-care diagnostic testing services in health facilities without laboratories in the bono region, Ghana: a qualitative study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2024; 25:179. [PMID: 38778307 PMCID: PMC11110428 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-024-02406-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A sustainable point-of-care (POC) diagnostic testing implementation in low-resourced facilities enhances quick diagnostic investigation and halts unnecessary referrals. This study identified the barriers impeding the implementation of POC diagnostic testing in health facilities without laboratories in the Bono Region of Ghana; as well as explored potential solutions that could enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of POC diagnostic testing, ultimately improving the quality of healthcare delivery. METHODS A total of twenty-eight participants were purposively selected from health facilities in low-resourced settings in the Bono Region for a descriptive qualitative study. Of the twenty-eight participants, seventeen including ten healthcare providers from CHPS facilities, six district health depot managers, and one regional depot manager were engaged in in-depth interviews. Additional eleven including nine healthcare providers and two district depot managers were also engaged in focus group discussions. NVivo version 12 software was employed for condensation, labelling, and grouping of themes. Data was analysed narratively. RESULTS Work overloads, limited POC testing services, stock-outs of POC tests at the facilities, and supply-related challenges of POC test kits were identified as major barriers to POC testing services. To solve these barriers, adequate funding, an effective delivery system, stakeholders' engagement and advocacy, and in-service and refresher training courses were suggested as potential solutions to POC diagnostic testing services implementation by the stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS This study's findings emphasize the need to address the barriers hindering the implementation of POC diagnostic testing in health facilities without laboratories in the Bono Region of Ghana. The suggested solutions provide a roadmap for improving the accessibility and effectiveness of POC testing, which has the potential to enhance the quality of healthcare delivery, reduce unnecessary referrals, and ultimately improve patient health outcomes in underserved settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Ansu-Mensah
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa.
- The University Clinic, Sunyani Technical University, Sunyani, Ghana.
| | - Vitalis Bawontuo
- Department of Health Services Management and Administration, School of Business, SD Dombo University of Business and Integrated Development Studies, Wa, Ghana
| | - Desmond Kuupiel
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, 4001, South Africa
| | - Themba G Ginindza
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 4001, South Africa
- Cancer & Infectious Diseases Epidemiology Research Unit (CIDERU), College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
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Grebely J, Matthews S, Causer LM, Feld JJ, Cunningham P, Dore GJ, Applegate TL. We have reached single-visit testing, diagnosis, and treatment for hepatitis C infection, now what? Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2024; 24:177-191. [PMID: 38173401 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2023.2292645] [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: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Progress toward hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination is impeded by low testing and treatment due to the current diagnostic pathway requiring multiple visits leading to loss to follow-up. Point-of-care testing technologies capable of detecting current HCV infection in one hour are a 'game-changer.' These tests enable diagnosis and treatment in a single visit, overcoming the barrier of multiple visits that frequently leads to loss to follow-up. Combining point-of-care HCV antibody and RNA tests should improve cost-effectiveness, patient/provider acceptability, and testing efficiency. However, implementing HCV point-of-care testing programs at scale requires multiple considerations. AREAS COVERED This commentary explores the need for point-of-care HCV tests, diagnostic strategies to improve HCV testing, key considerations for implementing point-of-care HCV testing programs, and remaining challenges for point-of-care testing (including operator training, quality management, connectivity and reporting systems, regulatory approval processes, and the need for more efficient tests). EXPERT OPINION It is exciting that single-visit testing, diagnosis, and treatment for HCV infection have been achieved. Innovations afforded through COVID-19 should facilitate the accelerated development of low-cost, rapid, and accurate tests to improve HCV testing. The next challenge will be to address barriers and facilitators for implementing point-of-care testing to deliver them at scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Grebely
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Susan Matthews
- Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Louise M Causer
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jordan J Feld
- Toronto Centre for Liver Disease, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Philip Cunningham
- Flinders University International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Gregory J Dore
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tanya L Applegate
- The Kirby Institute, UNSW, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- NSW State Reference Laboratory for HIV, St Vincent's Centre for Applied Medical Research, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Shephard M, Matthews S, Andrewartha K, Dimech W, Cabuang L, Barbara C, Chen XS, Cordioli M, Hançali A, Jiang TT, Kularatne R, Meli S, Muller E, Oumzil H, Padovese V, Sandri A, Vargas S, Zahra G, Unemo M, Blondeel K, Toskin I. Quality control and external quality assessment for the independent clinic-based evaluation of point-of-care testing to detect Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Trichomonas vaginalis in eight countries. BMC Infect Dis 2024; 24:203. [PMID: 38418947 PMCID: PMC10902926 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09057-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sexually transmitted infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG) and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) remain significant global health problems. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently conducted a multi-faceted, multi-country validation study (ProSPeRo), which included an evaluation of the Xpert CT/NG and Xpert TV assays on the GeneXpert system (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, Ca., USA) in clinic-based settings across eight countries. To support the study, a training and quality management system was implemented and evaluated. METHODS A comprehensive training program for the study was developed. Quality control (QC) and external quality assessment (EQA) samples were provided by an accredited quality assurance provider. QC testing was conducted at 14 point-of-care testing (POCT) clinics, while EQA samples were tested by the POCT sites and a reference laboratory supporting each clinic. RESULTS For QC testing, concordance with the expected results for CT and NG was > 99% and rates of unsuccessful tests were < 4%. For TV testing, concordance was similar (97%), but rates of unsuccessful tests were high (18%), particularly in the 'TV negative' sample. For EQA testing initially conducted in 2018, concordance was 100% for CT and NG, and 90% for TV for the reference laboratory group (which used non-GeneXpert systems). Concordance for the POCT group was also high (> 94%) for all analytes, but this cohort (which used GeneXpert systems) exhibited a high rate of unsuccessful TV tests. All but one of these unsuccessful tests was subcategorised as 'invalid'. CONCLUSIONS The high level of concordance for QC and EQA testing confirm that the trained operators at the POC clinical sites were competent to conduct POC testing and that the training and quality systems implemented for the ProSPeRo study were effective. The quality materials used were satisfactory for CT and NG but exhibited poor performance for TV testing on the GeneXpert system. The WHO should continue to work with industry and EQA providers to provide improved materials that are reliable, stable and cost effective for quality management, as it seeks to rollout molecular-based STI POCT in non-laboratory-based settings. TRIAL REGISTRATION Ethics approval to conduct the ProSPeRo study was granted by the WHO Ethics Review Committee.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Shephard
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Susan Matthews
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kelly Andrewartha
- International Centre for Point-of-Care Testing, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Wayne Dimech
- National Serology Reference Laboratory, Australia, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | - Liza Cabuang
- National Serology Reference Laboratory, Australia, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Xiang-Sheng Chen
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Institute of Dermatology, National Center for STD Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Maddalena Cordioli
- Infectious Diseases Section, Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Amina Hançali
- STIs Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Institut National d'Hygiene, Ministry of Health- Morocco, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ting-Ting Jiang
- Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College Institute of Dermatology, National Center for STD Control, Nanjing, China
| | - Ranmini Kularatne
- Centre for HIV & STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, South Africa
| | - Stephanie Meli
- Point-of-Care Testing Committee, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Etienne Muller
- Centre for HIV & STI, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Sandringham, South Africa
| | - Hicham Oumzil
- Pedagogy and Research Unit of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Mohammed V University -Rabat, Virology Department, Institut National d'Hygiène MoH, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Valeska Padovese
- Genito-Urinary Clinic, Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Angela Sandri
- Department of Diagnosis and Public Health, Section of Microbiology, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Silver Vargas
- Centro de Investigación Interdisciplinaria en Sexualidad SIDA y Sociedad, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - Graziella Zahra
- Molecular Diagnostics Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathology, Mater Dei Hospital, Msida, Malta
| | - Magnus Unemo
- WHO Collaborating Centre for Gonorrhoea and Other STIs, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
| | - Karel Blondeel
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Igor Toskin
- Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland
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Ansu-Mensah M, Kuupiel D, Bawontuo V, Ginindza TG. Availability, stock levels and usage of In-vitro diagnostics in the Bono region, Ghana: A cross-sectional study. Afr J Prim Health Care Fam Med 2023; 15:e1-e10. [PMID: 37916723 PMCID: PMC10623501 DOI: 10.4102/phcfm.v15i1.4114] [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: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point-of-care (POC) diagnostic tests play essential roles in diagnosis, surveillance, and disease management in health settings. Nevertheless, implementation challenges may hamper POC test accessibility. This study evaluated the availability and stock levels of the World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified existing in-vitro diagnostics (IVDs) for use in health facilities without laboratories. AIM To evaluate the availability, stock levels, and usage of POC diagnostic tests. SETTING Bono Region, Ghana. METHODS This cross-sectional survey involved 102 randomly selected Community Health-based and Planning Services (CHPS), 12 district health depots, and a regional medical depot. Using a survey tool, data were collected on clinic staffing, availability and stock levels of tests, and funding sources. STATA 17 was employed for data analysis. RESULTS Majority (37.3%) of the respondents were community health nurses, with 4.4 mean years of work experience and 38 working hours per week. Of the 18 existing WHO prequalified POC tests for use at facilities without laboratories, 10 (56%), 2 (11%) and 0 (0%) were found at CHPS, regional, and district depots, respectively. Majority (183 out of 301) stock levels were low. Of the 10 available tests found, 7 scored 111 (36%) of 'high use'. Supply chain management compliance was 5 (31%) out of 16. All CHPS received government funding with 25.5% of them receiving additional donor or internally generated funding. CONCLUSION This study found poor supply chain management compliance, and low availability of POC tests in the Bono Region of Ghana.Contribution: The study outlines POC tests availability and usage in low-resourced setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Ansu-Mensah
- Discipline of Public Health Medicine, School of Nursing and Public Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; and, Health Economics and HIV and AIDS Research Division (HEARD), University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; and, Clinic, Sunyani Technical University, Sunyani.
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Cheng CH, Yatsuda H, Goto M, Kondoh J, Liu SH, Wang RYL. Application of Shear Horizontal Surface Acoustic Wave (SH-SAW) Immunosensor in Point-of-Care Diagnosis. BIOSENSORS 2023; 13:605. [PMID: 37366970 DOI: 10.3390/bios13060605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT), also known as on-site or near-patient testing, has been exploding in the last 20 years. A favorable POCT device requires minimal sample handling (e.g., finger-prick samples, but plasma for analysis), minimal sample volume (e.g., one drop of blood), and very fast results. Shear horizontal surface acoustic wave (SH-SAW) biosensors have attracted a lot of attention as one of the effective solutions to complete whole blood measurements in less than 3 min, while providing a low-cost and small-sized device. This review provides an overview of the SH-SAW biosensor system that has been successfully commercialized for medical use. Three unique features of the system are a disposable test cartridge with an SH-SAW sensor chip, a mass-produced bio-coating, and a palm-sized reader. This paper first discusses the characteristics and performance of the SH-SAW sensor system. Subsequently, the method of cross-linking biomaterials and the analysis of SH-SAW real-time signals are investigated, and the detection range and detection limit are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hsuan Cheng
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu-shi 432-8561, Japan
- tst Biomedical Electronics Co., Ltd., Taoyuan 324403, Taiwan
| | - Hiromi Yatsuda
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu-shi 432-8561, Japan
- tst Biomedical Electronics Co., Ltd., Taoyuan 324403, Taiwan
| | | | - Jun Kondoh
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Shizuoka University, 3-5-1 Johoku, Naka-ku, Hamamatsu-shi 432-8561, Japan
| | - Szu-Heng Liu
- tst Biomedical Electronics Co., Ltd., Taoyuan 324403, Taiwan
| | - Robert Y L Wang
- Biotechnology Industry Ph.D. Program, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
- Kidney Research Center and Department of Nephrology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou 33305, Taiwan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan 33302, Taiwan
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Tenorio-Mucha J, Busta-Flores P, Lazo-Porras M, Vetter B, Safary E, Moran AE, Gupta R, Bernabé-Ortiz A. Facilitators and barriers of the implementation of point-of-care devices for cardiometabolic diseases: a scoping review. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:412. [PMID: 37118750 PMCID: PMC10144879 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09419-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Point-of-care testing (POCT) devices may facilitate the delivery of rapid and timely results, providing a clinically important advantage in patient management. The challenges and constraints in the implementation process, considering different levels of actors have not been much explored. This scoping review aimed to assess literature pertaining to implementation facilitators and barriers of POCT devices for the diagnosis or monitoring of cardiometabolic diseases. METHODS A scoping review of the literature was conducted. The inclusion criteria were studies on the inception, planning, or implementation of interventions with POCT devices for the diagnosis or monitoring of cardiometabolic diseases defined as dyslipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Global Health databases using the OVID searching engine until May 2022. The Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR) was used to classify implementation barriers and facilitators in five constructs. Also, patient, healthcare professional (HCP), and organization level was used. RESULTS Twenty studies met the eligibility criteria for data extraction. All studies except two were conducted in high-income countries. Some findings are: 1) Intervention: the most widely recognized facilitator was the quick turnaround time with which results are obtained. 2) Outer setting: at the organizational level, the lack of clear regulatory and accreditation mechanisms has hindered the adoption and sustainability of the use of POCT. 3) Inner setting: for HCP, performing POCT during the consultation was both a facilitator and a barrier in terms of time, personnel, and service delivery. 4) Individuals: the implementation of POCT may generate stress and discomfort in some HCP in terms of training and new responsibilities. 5) Process: for patients, it is highly appreciated that obtaining the sample was simple and more comfortable if venipuncture was not used. CONCLUSION This scoping review has described the facilitators and barriers of implementing a POCT device for cardiometabolic conditions using the CFIR. The information can be used to design better strategies to implement these devices and benefit more populations that have low access to cardiometabolic tests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janeth Tenorio-Mucha
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Armendariz 445 - Miraflores, Lima, Peru
| | - Patricia Busta-Flores
- CONEVID - Unidad de Conocimiento y Evidencia, Facultad de Medicina "Alberto Hurtado", Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
| | - María Lazo-Porras
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Armendariz 445 - Miraflores, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | | | - Reena Gupta
- Resolve to Save Lives, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Medicine of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, USA
| | - Antonio Bernabé-Ortiz
- CRONICAS Center of Excellence in Chronic Diseases, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Av. Armendariz 445 - Miraflores, Lima, Peru.
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Oehme R, Sandholzer-Yilmaz AS, Heise M, Frese T, Fankhaenel T. Utilization of point-of-care tests among general practitioners, a cross-sectional study. BMC PRIMARY CARE 2022; 23:41. [PMID: 35264103 PMCID: PMC8906527 DOI: 10.1186/s12875-022-01643-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Point-of-care testing (POCT) has numerous potential benefits to improve health care service, especially in resource-limited settings. We aim to identify which POC-tests (POCTs) of laboratory parameters are known, employed, and rated as useful by general practitioners (GPs). Methods A questionnaire with 27 POCTs was posted to a random selection of GPs (n = 451) in Saxony, Germany. Results A total of 208 GPs replied (response rate 46.1%). Out of 27 POCTs, each GP knew an average of 20.3 as laboratory parameters and 9.2 as POCTs. Urine test strips (99.0%), blood glucose test (98.1%), and Troponin I/T (86.4%) were the best-known, followed by INR/Quick (82.5%), Microalbumin (79.1%), and D-dimer (78.6%) POCTs. Yet, solely 0 to 13 POC tests were actually used (mean value 4.6). Urine test strips were employed most frequently (97.6%), followed by blood glucose test (94.7%), Troponin I/T (57.8%), Microalbumin (57.3%), and INR/Quick POCTs (41.7%). Heart fatty binding protein (H-FABP), Syphilis, Coeliac disease, and Malaria appeared as the least frequently used POCTs. The majority of the GPs declared 14 of the 27 POCTs to be useful. Discussion/conclusion The most recurrently employed POCTs are those for diagnosing or monitoring diabetes mellitus, ensued by POCTs addressing acute cardiovascular diseases (Troponin I/T, D-dimer) or monitoring the therapy of infectious diseases or the anticoagulant therapy. POCTs most often rated as useful by GPs are also widely known and frequently used. Nonetheless, the majority of GPs rate only a very limited number of POCTs as useful. Frequent concerns might be low economic benefit, over-reliance, and test accuracy coming along with the complex implementation of the tests requiring technical skills, accurate storage, and the correct interpretation of test results. Trial registration In accordance with the (Model) Professional Code for Physicians in Germany, neither human body materials nor data that can be assigned to a specific human being are used in our study. A declaration of no objection from the Ethics Committee of the Martin-Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (Medical Faculty) confirms no professional or ethical concerns due to completely anonymized data collection and analysis. Our study was therefore not registered in a corresponding registry. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12875-022-01643-9.
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Madimenos FC, Gildner TE, Eick GN, Sugiyama LS, Snodgrass JJ. Bringing the lab bench to the field: Point-of-care testing for enhancing health research and stakeholder engagement in rural/remote, indigenous, and resource-limited contexts. Am J Hum Biol 2022; 34:e23808. [PMID: 36166487 DOI: 10.1002/ajhb.23808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Point-of-care testing (POCT) allows researchers and health-care providers to bring the lab bench to the field, providing essential health information that can be leveraged to improve health care, accessibility, and understanding across clinical and research settings. Gaps in health service access are most pronounced in what we term RIR settings-rural/remote regions, involving Indigenous peoples, and/or within resource-limited settings. In these contexts, morbidity and mortality from infectious and non-communicable diseases are disproportionately higher due to numerous geographic, economic, political, and sociohistorical factors. Human biologists and global health scholars are well-positioned to contribute on-the-ground-level insights that can serve to minimize global health inequities and POCT has the potential to augment such approaches. While the clinical benefits of POCT include increasing health service access by bringing testing, rapid diagnosis, and treatment to underserved communities with limited pathways to centralized laboratory testing, POCT also provides added benefits to both health-focused researchers and their participants. Through portable, minimally invasive devices, researchers can provide actionable health data to participants by coupling POCT with population-specific health education, discussing results and their implications, creating space for participants to voice concerns, and facilitating linkages to treatment. POCT can also strengthen human biology research by shedding light on questions of evolutionary and biocultural importance. Here, we expand on the epidemiological and research value, as well as practical and ethical challenges of POCT across stakeholders (i.e., participant, community, health researcher, and trainee). Finally, we emphasize the immense opportunities of POCT for fostering collaborative research and enhancing access to health delivery and information and, by extension, helping to mitigate persistent global health inequities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felicia C Madimenos
- Department of Anthropology, Queens College (CUNY), New York, USA.,New York Consortium of Evolutionary Primatology (NYCEP), CUNY Graduate Center, New York, USA
| | - Theresa E Gildner
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Geeta N Eick
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA
| | | | - James J Snodgrass
- Department of Anthropology, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA.,Center for Global Health, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, USA.,Global Station for Indigenous Studies and Cultural Diversity, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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Pigazzani F, Gorni D, Dyar KA, Pedrelli M, Kennedy G, Costantino G, Bruno A, Mackenzie I, MacDonald TM, Tietge UJF, George J. The Prognostic Value of Derivatives-Reactive Oxygen Metabolites (d-ROMs) for Cardiovascular Disease Events and Mortality: A Review. Antioxidants (Basel) 2022; 11:antiox11081541. [PMID: 36009260 PMCID: PMC9405117 DOI: 10.3390/antiox11081541] [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: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress participates in the development and exacerbation of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). The ability to promptly quantify an imbalance in an individual reductive-oxidative (RedOx) state could improve cardiovascular risk assessment and management. Derivatives-reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) are an emerging biomarker of oxidative stress quantifiable in minutes through standard biochemical analysers or by a bedside point-of-care test. The current review evaluates available data on the prognostic value of d-ROMs for CVD events and mortality in individuals with known and unknown CVD. Outcome studies involving small and large cohorts were analysed and hazard ratio, risk ratio, odds ratio, and mean differences were used as measures of effect. High d-ROM plasma levels were found to be an independent predictor of CVD events and mortality. Risk begins increasing at d-ROM levels higher than 340 UCARR and rises considerably above 400 UCARR. Conversely, low d-ROM plasma levels are a good negative predictor for CVD events in patients with coronary artery disease and heart failure. Moreover, combining d-ROMs with other relevant biomarkers routinely used in clinical practice might support a more precise cardiovascular risk assessment. We conclude that d-ROMs represent an emerging oxidative-stress-related biomarker with the potential for better risk stratification both in primary and secondary cardiovascular prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filippo Pigazzani
- MEMO Research, Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1GZ, UK
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1GZ, UK
- Correspondence: (F.P.); (A.B.)
| | - Davide Gorni
- Research and Development Department, H&D S.r.l., 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Kenneth A. Dyar
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), 40225 Neuherberg, Germany
- Metabolic Physiology, Institute for Diabetes and Cancer (IDC), Helmholtz Diabetes Center, Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Matteo Pedrelli
- CardioMetabol Unit, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden
- Medicine Unit Endocrinology, Theme Inflammation and Ageing, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Gwen Kennedy
- Division of Population Health and Genomics, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1GZ, UK
| | | | - Agostino Bruno
- Research and Development Department, Cor.Con. International S.r.l., 43124 Parma, Italy
- Correspondence: (F.P.); (A.B.)
| | - Isla Mackenzie
- MEMO Research, Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1GZ, UK
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1GZ, UK
| | - Thomas M. MacDonald
- MEMO Research, Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1GZ, UK
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1GZ, UK
| | - Uwe J. F. Tietge
- Division of Clinical Chemistry, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Clinical Chemistry, Karolinska University Laboratory, Karolinska University Hospital, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jacob George
- Division of Molecular and Clinical Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD2 1GZ, UK
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11
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Landry V, Coburn P, Kost K, Liu X, Li-Jessen NYK. Diagnostic Accuracy of Liquid Biomarkers in Airway Diseases: Toward Point-of-Care Applications. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:855250. [PMID: 35733871 PMCID: PMC9207186 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.855250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Liquid biomarkers have shown increasing utility in the clinical management of airway diseases. Salivary and blood samples are particularly amenable to point-of-care (POC) testing due to simple specimen collection and processing. However, very few POC tests have successfully progressed to clinical application due to the uncertainty and unpredictability surrounding their diagnostic accuracy. Objective To review liquid biomarkers of airway diseases with well-established diagnostic accuracies and discuss their prospects for future POC applications. Methodology A literature review of publications indexed in Medline or Embase was performed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of liquid biomarkers for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma, laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), and COVID-19. Results Of 3,628 studies, 71 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Sputum and blood eosinophils were the most frequently investigated biomarkers for the management of asthma and COPD. Salivary pepsin was the only biomarker with a well-documented accuracy for the diagnosis of LPR. Inflammatory blood biomarkers (e.g., CRP, D-dimers, ferritin) were found to be useful to predict the severity, complications, and mortality related to COVID-19 infection. Conclusion Multiple liquid biomarkers have well-established diagnostic accuracies and are thus amenable to POC testing in clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vivianne Landry
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick Coburn
- School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Karen Kost
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen
- School of Communication Sciences & Disorders, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
- The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Nicole Y. K. Li-Jessen,
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Joe C, Lee BH, Kim SH, Ko Y, Gu MB. Aptamer duo-based portable electrochemical biosensors for early diagnosis of periodontal disease. Biosens Bioelectron 2021; 199:113884. [PMID: 34942544 DOI: 10.1016/j.bios.2021.113884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Recently, point-of-care tests (POCT) have gained much attention due to their convenient, fast, simple, and easy characteristics. For POCT, portability is an essential feature. In this study, we have successfully fabricated a portable mini-potentiostat. Using chronoamperometry, electrical signals of this portable mini-potentiostat were measured, and the analytical performance of electrochemical aptasensors was compared with a benchtop potentiostat. The electrochemical signals measured by mini-potentiostat can be displayed on the screen of a smartphone. To verify the analytical performance of this portable electrochemical aptasensor platform with a mini-potentiostat, two well-known model protein biomarkers, vaspin, a type 2 diabetes biomarker, and thrombin, a biomarker for pulmonary metastasis and cardiovascular disease, were confirmed to be detected by using corresponding aptamer duo. After solid verification of this portable electrochemical aptasensor platform, we have successfully implemented this portable mini-potentiostat system to develop a portable sandwich-type binding pair of aptamers-based electrochemical biosensor, which can diagnose periodontal disease by measuring ODAM biomarker. The linear range of this ODAM biosensor was 0 to 15 nM with a detection limit of 0.02 nM and 1 nM in buffer and saliva, respectively. The sensitivity of this biosensor has been greatly enhanced, compared to previously developed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) or lateral flow assay (LFA) based aptasensors. This study showed that this new portable aptamer duo-based biosensor is expected to diagnose the early stage of periodontal diseases from real samples, such as saliva or gingival crevicular fluid in a short time as a point-of-care (POC) testing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheulmin Joe
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Bang Hyun Lee
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, 890 Oval Dr, Raleigh, NC, 27695, USA
| | - Sang Hoon Kim
- University of North Carolina -- Chapel Hill, Department of Applied Physical Sciences, 1112 Murray Hall, CB#3050, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-2100, USA
| | - Youngkyung Ko
- Department of Periodontics, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Man Bock Gu
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Anam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
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Performance of Immunodiagnostic Tests for Typhoid Fever: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091184. [PMID: 34578216 PMCID: PMC8467574 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is a life-threatening bacterial infection that remains a global health concern. The infection is associated with a significant morbidity and mortality rate, resulting in an urgent need for specific and rapid detection tests to aid prevention and management of the disease. The present review aims to assess the specificity and sensitivity of the available literature on the immunodiagnostics of typhoid fever. A literature search was conducted using three databases (PubMed, ProQuest and Scopus) and manual searches through the references of identified full texts to retrieve relevant literature published between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2020. Of the 577 studies identified in our search, 12 were included in further analysis. Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and hemolysin E (HlyE) were the most frequently studied antigens. The specimens examined in these studies included serum and saliva. Using blood culture as the gold standard, anti-LPS IgA gave the highest sensitivity of 96% (95% CI: 93–99) and specificity of 96% (95% CI: 93–99) for distinguishing between typhoid cases and healthy controls, whereas the combination of anti-LPS and anti-flagellin total IgGAM gave the highest sensitivity of 93% (95% CI: 86–99) and specificity of 95% (95% CI: 89–100) for distinguishing typhoid cases and other febrile infections. A comparably high sensitivity of 92% (95% CI: 86–98) and specificity of 89% (95% CI: 78–100) were shown in testing based on detection of the combination of anti-LPS (IgA and IgM) and anti-HlyE IgG as well as a slightly lower sensitivity of 91% (95% CI: 74–100) in the case of anti-50kDa IgA. Anti-50kDa IgM had the lowest sensitivity of 36% (95% CI: 6–65) against both healthy and febrile controls. The development of a rapid diagnostic test targeting antibodies against lipopolysaccharides combined with flagellin appeared to be a suitable approach for the rapid detection test of typhoid fever. Saliva is added benefit for rapid typhoid diagnosis since it is less invasive. As a result, further studies could be done to develop additional approaches for adopting such samples.
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