Biochemia medica : časopis Hrvatskoga društva medicinskih biokemičara
-
Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Jun 2018
Comparative StudySigma metrics for assessing the analytical quality of clinical chemistry assays: a comparison of two approaches: Electronic supplementary material available online for this article.
Two approaches were compared for the calculation of coefficient of variation (CV) and bias, and their effect on sigma calculation, when different allowable total error (TEa) values were used to determine the optimal method for Six Sigma quality management in the clinical laboratory. ⋯ Both methods of calculating σ can be used for Six Sigma quality management. In practice, laboratories should evaluate Sigma multiple times when optimizing a quality control schedule.
-
Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Jan 2015
Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness analysis of acute kidney injury biomarkers in pediatric cardiac surgery.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) is significant problem in children with congenital heart disease (CHD) who undergo cardiac surgery. The economic impact of a biomarker-based diagnostic strategy for AKI in pediatric populations undergoing CHD surgery is unknown. The aim of this study was to perform the cost effectiveness analysis of using serum cystatin C (sCysC), urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and urine liver fatty acid-binding protein (uL-FABP) for the diagnosis of AKI in children after cardiac surgery compared with current diagnostic method (monitoring of serum creatinine (sCr) level). ⋯ Our results suggest that the use of uL-FABP would represent cost effective strategy for early diagnosis of AKI in children after cardiac surgery.
-
In a contemporary clinical laboratory it is very common to have to assess the agreement between two quantitative methods of measurement. The correct statistical approach to assess this degree of agreement is not obvious. ⋯ Data can be analyzed both as unit differences plot and as percentage differences plot. The B&A plot method only defines the intervals of agreements, it does not say whether those limits are acceptable or not. Acceptable limits must be defined a priori, based on clinical necessity, biological considerations or other goals. The aim of this article is to provide guidance on the use and interpretation of Bland Altman analysis in method comparison studies.
-
Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Feb 2018
Neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and acute kidney injury in endovascular aneurysm repair or open aortic repair: a pilot study.
Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs frequently after abdominal aortic surgery and there is currently no effective marker able to detect early onset. The aim of this study is to evaluate the ability of neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) to early identify the development of acute renal damage in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) or open aortic repair (OAR). ⋯ Our results suggest that uNGAL, sNGAL and bNGAL, after abdominal aortic surgery, are not suitable as early biomarkers of AKI.
-
Biochem Med (Zagreb) · Feb 2019
Observational StudyPrognostic value of procalcitonin and lipopolysaccharide binding protein in cancer patients with chemotherapy-associated febrile neutropenia presenting to an emergency department.
Cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia are a heterogeneous group with a significant risk of serious medical complications. In these patients, the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer (MASCC) score is the most widely used tool for risk-stratification. The aim of this prospective study was to analyse the value of procalcitonin (PCT) and lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) to predict serious complications and bacteraemia in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia, compared with MASCC score. ⋯ A single measurement of PCT performs similarly as MASCC score to predict serious medical complications in cancer patients with febrile neutropenia and can be a useful tool for risk stratification. Besides, low PCT concentrations can be used to rule-out the presence of bacteraemia.