Objective: The aim of this study was to examine appropriate utilization of antinuclear antibody (ANA) screening tests with follow-up subserology tests (reflex testing) for diagnosing systemic autoimmune rheumatic disorder (SARD).
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 3003 SARD-test orders at an academic teaching hospital from January to December 2019. Testing patterns were categorized as American College of Rheumatology (ACR)-recommended reflex testing, panel testing, or single subserology testing. We described testing patterns, assessed their diagnostic accuracy, and explored factors associated with reflex testing.
Results: Reflex testing accounted for 79.7% of SARD test-ordering, whereas improper testing (panel or single subserology) accounted for the other 20.3%. Reflex testing was associated with significantly more SARD diagnoses than improper testing (P = .004). Testing patterns were significantly associated with race/ethnicity (P = .008), with reflex testing being less frequent than improper testing in Hispanics and Whites.
Conclusion: In summary, one-fifth (20.3%) of testing patterns for suspected SARD did not follow the ACR-recommended guidelines for using reflex testing. Use of reflex testing was associated with an increased frequency of SARD diagnosis.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/labmed/lmac157 | DOI Listing |
Children (Basel)
November 2024
Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas, Campinas 13083-887, SP, Brazil.
Unlabelled: COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. During and after COVID-19, audiovestibular symptoms and impairments have been reported.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of COVID-19 on the peripheral and central auditory systems of children and adolescents following the acute COVID-19 phase based on behavioral, electroacoustic, and electrophysiological audiological assessments.
Unlabelled: The reflexive translation of symbols in one chemical language to another defined genetics. Yet, the co-linearity of codons and amino acids is so commonplace an idea that few even ask how it arose. Readout is done by two distinct sets of proteins, called aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (AARS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Neuroeng Rehabil
January 2025
Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Research Lab, Shepherd Center, 2020 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA, USA.
Background: There is growing interest in use of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) for people with neurologic conditions both to augment volitional control (by facilitating motoneuron excitability), and to decrease spasticity (by activating inhibitory networks). Various electrode montages are used during TSS, with little understanding of how electrode position influences spinal circuit activation. We sought to identify the thoracolumbar electrode montage associated with the most robust activation of spinal circuits by comparing posterior root-muscle reflexes (PRM reflexes) elicited by 6 montages.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEur J Psychotraumatol
December 2025
The Sliver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
There is a risk of re-traumatisation for survivors of trauma who engage with the Justice system, given their high propensity to encounter situations that trigger traumatic responses. While a growing body of research has explored the experience of trauma informed practice (TIP) from service user perspectives, little research has incorporated the views and experiences of practitioners working in the Justice system in terms of the implementation of TIP in their service setting. An exploratory, qualitative research design based on semi-structured, in-depth interviews.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: An annual fasting lipid panel (FLP) is recommended for patients with diabetes, with more frequent testing advised during the escalation of cholesterol-lowering therapy. However, the calculated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) using the Friedewald equation becomes unreliable when triglycerides are ≥400 mg/dL. In such cases, providers must order a separate direct LDL-C assay to obtain accurate results.
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