Opinion paper Problems with estimating reference change values (critical differences)

Clin Chim Acta. 2021 Oct 12:S0009-8981(21)00350-8. doi: 10.1016/j.cca.2021.10.006. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe concept of reference change values (RCVs) for diagnosis and monitoring of diseases has become well established. Several models habe been developed, e. g. one assuming a normal distribution and another one for a log-normal distribution. RCV values calculated for some measurands with both models are compared with each other and led to similar results. A few examples led to RCV values which are not plausible for diagnostic purposes. Although statistically# the RCV values are well established, their clinical relevance remains questionable at least for some measurands. Studies with clinicians are required whether RCVs are of practical usefulness.PMID:34653386 | DOI:10.1016/j.cca.2021.10.006

Source: International Journal of Clinical Chemistry - October 15, 2021 Category: Chemistry Authors: Rainer Haeckel Anna Carobene Werner Wosniok Source Type: research