Clinical biochemistry
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Clinical biochemistry · May 2016
Comparative StudyThe association between vitamin D and C-reactive protein levels in patients with inflammatory and non-inflammatory diseases.
A direct, inverse correlation between 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) vitamin D) levels and C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive biomarker for inflammation, was found in some, but not all, studies. These effects were seen in healthy subjects as well as in some inflammatory diseases. ⋯ Our study shows an inverse correlation between 25(OH) vitamin D and CRP in a large patient cohort but more importantly shows that this effect is more pronounced in patients with inflammatory diseases compared to patients with non-inflammatory diseases.
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Clinical biochemistry · Feb 2016
Comparative StudyComparison of the Liaison® Calprotectin kit with a well established point of care test (Quantum Blue - Bühlmann-Alere®) in terms of analytical performances and ability to detect relapses amongst a Crohn population in follow-up.
Although colonoscopy associated with histopathological sampling remains the gold standard in the diagnostic and follow-up of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), calprotectin is becoming an essential biomarker in gastroenterology. The aim of this work is to compare a newly developed kit (Liaison® Calprotectin - Diasorin®) and its two distinct extraction protocols (weighing and extraction device protocol) with a well established point of care test (Quantum Blue® - Bühlmann-Alere®) in terms of analytical performances and ability to detect relapses amongst a Crohn's population in follow-up. ⋯ Although all three methods correlated well and had relatively good NPV in terms of detecting relapses amongst a Crohn's population in follow-up, the lack of any international standard is the origin of different optimal cut-offs between the three procedures.
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Clinical biochemistry · Feb 2016
A threshold for concern? C-reactive protein levels following operatively managed neck of femur fractures can detect infectious complications with a simple formula.
C-reactive protein (CRP) rises in response to multiple stimuli, including surgical procedures and infections. Deviations from the predicted CRP response to a given procedure may be an early indication of a postoperative complication. ⋯ Following operatively managed neck of femur fractures, a CRP value in excess of the threshold defined by the formula 500/d may indicate the presence of a postoperative complication and defines a group with increased mortality. In this context, a prompt wound review and septic screen could promote the early detection and management of infectious postoperative complications.
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Clinical biochemistry · Jan 2016
Utility of serum procalcitonin and C-reactive protein in severity assessment of community-acquired pneumonia in children.
Although the importance of serum Procalcitonin (PCT) levels at diagnosis is well established in adult Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP), its use remains controversial in pediatric CAP. The aim of our study is to investigate the role of PCT and C-Reactive Protein (CRP) in the assessment of pediatric CAP severity defined by the extent of consolidation on chest X-rays and the presence of pleural effusion. In this particular setting, no clinical severity score is available at present and chest X-ray, although important for diagnosis confirmation, is not recommended as routine test. ⋯ Our findings revealed that PCT is correlated to the main inflammatory markers in children with CAP. CRP, unlike PCT, is able to predict the extent of chest X-ray infiltration and ultimately the severity of the disease confirming its usefulness in the management of pneumonia
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Clinical biochemistry · Dec 2015
ReviewInterventions at the laboratory level to reduce laboratory test ordering by family physicians: Systematic review.
To assess the effectiveness of interventions by laboratories and to increase rational and reduce unnecessary family physician test ordering. ⋯ Ten studies were identified which tested interventions by laboratories to reduce test ordering by family physicians, and achieved an average 35% reduction in the 19 targeted tests. The rationale for choosing specific tests for intervention was often not explained, most studies targeted a few tests for several months, the tests and test volumes differed widely across studies, no author improved the results of previous interventions or asked participants their opinions about the intervention or assessed factors impeding change.