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Psychosocial Aspects of Diabetes
Published in Jahangir Moini, Matthew Adams, Anthony LoGalbo, Complications of Diabetes Mellitus, 2022
Jahangir Moini, Matthew Adams, Anthony LoGalbo
The diagnosis of panic disorder is based on medical history, review of current medications, a complete physical examination, discussion of symptoms and concerns, and a psychiatric assessment. There is evaluation of whether panic attacks are unexpected and recurrent. The patient and physician discuss whether one or more panic attacks was followed by at least 1 month of worrying about another attack, or changing behaviors to avoid having another attack. There is evaluation of any medical disorders, such as diabetes, that may be causative, along with medications or other substances. The patient must be evaluated about the possibility of having another type of mental health disorder. Diagnostic tests include blood and urine tests, various imaging studies, and electrocardiogram.
Screening and Diagnostic Tests
Published in Marcello Pagano, Kimberlee Gauvreau, Heather Mattie, Principles of Biostatistics, 2022
Marcello Pagano, Kimberlee Gauvreau, Heather Mattie
Diagnostic tests, on the other hand, are used to confirm the diagnosis of a condition or disease. For example, we might test individuals who show symptoms of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARC-Cov-2 – such as a high temperature and/or breathing difficulties – for infection by the virus. Sometimes diagnostic tests are employed subsequent to a positive screening test; for example, a biopsy is often performed following a mammogram that is positive for breast cancer. Usually the proportion of individuals testing positive with a screening test is smaller than the proportion testing positive with a diagnostic test, because those being subjected to the diagnostic test are more likely to have the disease to begin with. This is certainly true in the early stages of an epidemic. For both types of tests, however, those who test positive are considered to be more likely to have the disease than those who test negative.
Bowel disorders
Published in Henry J. Woodford, Essential Geriatrics, 2022
It is recommended to test stool samples for people with new-onset diarrhoea (three or more unformed stools within 24 hours) who are not taking laxatives.31 This is to avoid misattribution of asymptomatic carriage from active infection. Where clinical suspicion is high, treatment can be initiated while awaiting definitive test results. No single test is ideal and they are used in combination.29Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) enzyme – a sensitive and quick test but lacks specificity to identify toxigenic forms of the organismToxin A/B polymerase chain reaction – sensitive for the presence of organisms capable of producing toxins, but can't determine whether this is currently asymptomatic carriage or active toxin productionToxin A/B enzyme immunoassay – high specificity but variable sensitivity. These are the most commonly used diagnostic tests and can be performed in less than two hours. Sensitivities and specificities are around 80–95% depending on the test used
MicroRNA profile as potential molecular signature for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children
Published in Biomarkers, 2022
Ping Zhu, Jing Pan, Qian Qian Cai, Fan Zhang, Min Peng, Xing Li Fan, Hua Ji, Yi Wei Dong, Xing Zhong Wu, Li Hui Wu
By regulating gene expression, miRNAs can produce a wide range of biological effects on controlling neurite regeneration, brain development, neuron differentiation, and synapse formation (Miller et al. 2012, Murai et al. 2016, Srivastav et al. 2018). Alteration of miRNA expression profiles may result in deregulation of these biological roles in the human body, which links miRNAs to the pathogenesis and development of disorders, such as ADHD through targeting gene networks (Sanchez-Mora et al. 2019, Abdi et al. 2020). An altered miRNA expression profile is thought to be characteristic of the disorder. Previously, a plasma miRNA panel has successfully been identified to be specific to human hepatocellular carcinoma and was found very useful for its diagnosis (Zhou et al. 2011). Importantly, miRNA can be stably generated and is present in human serum or plasma, and is not rapidly degraded (Mohr and Mott 2015, Wu et al. 2015). Furthermore, a blood test is a convenient diagnostic test for the disease. Another study showed that a white blood cell miRNA profile was observed to be closely associated with ADHD (Wang et al. 2018). The miRNA expression profile in serum is indeed dysregulated and abnormally expressed in ADHD, significantly different from a normal physiological profile in this study.
Nucleic acid-based electrochemical biosensors for rapid clinical diagnosis: advances, challenges, and opportunities
Published in Critical Reviews in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 2022
Abu Hashem, M. A. Motalib Hossain, Ab Rahman Marlinda, Mohammad Al Mamun, Suresh Sagadevan, Zohreh Shahnavaz, Khanom Simarani, Mohd Rafie Johan
Diagnosis is the process of finding the causes and nature of the illness. With a correct diagnosis, the doctor can treat the patient, prescribe medication and decide if surgery is needed. Health programs are aimed at diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases effectively. Diagnostic tests play an important role in this and in preventing or reducing the prevalence of diseases before they become a public health problem [1]. Rapid and early diagnosis can prevent unnecessary complications for patients [2]. Undiagnosed and asymptomatic patients may spread diseases without being aware of them, as is the case for COVID-19. Early diagnosis may help in rapid recovery as well as in preventing outbreaks of infectious disease [3]. Accurate and timely diagnosis allows doctors to institute the treatment that can reduce hospitalization and length of stay, increase survival, and lower costs [4,5] as well as reduce treatment-related complications such as the side effects of chemotherapy, thereby increasing the patient’s quality of life [6–8].
Economic evaluations of exome and genome sequencing in pediatric genetics: considerations towards a consensus strategy
Published in Journal of Medical Economics, 2021
Richelle A. C. M. Olde Keizer, Lidewij Henneman, Johannes Kristian Ploos van Amstel, Lisenka E. L. M. Vissers, Gerardus W. J. Frederix
Considering time horizon, no uniform method was used to determine the start and end of a study. Most of the studies ended the economic evaluation when a final diagnosis was found or when ES was initiated. However, the total duration included by the studies varied widely. This confirms the need for a uniform approach to ensure comparability. A study of Dragojlovic et al.36 concluded that longer time horizons need to be included. Especially in patients without a conclusive diagnosis, long-term costs may influence conclusions about the cost-effectiveness of a diagnostic test. It is not possible to judge whether studies which took a fixed time-period as time horizon also took the complete diagnostic trajectory into account. To capture the full benefit of ES and/or GS, at least the complete diagnostic trajectory should be taken into account. According to Dragojlovic et al.36, a longer follow-up period of at least 2 or 3 years is needed to capture the health benefit following having or not having a diagnosis. The latter may even suggest that stratification according to the outcome of the genetic test should be performed, as differences may be expected.