PubMed HealthSearch

PubMed · 7569749

Subject-based reference values.

Abstract

Medical decisions based on comparison with group-based reference value have often less than desired sensitivity to significant changes in the biochemical or physiological state of an individual under investigation. Subgrouping of the reference values according to sex, age, or other criteria does frequently not solve this problem. The better solution is to compare new values with old results from the same individual, i.e., with subject-based reference values. Two types of criteria may be used: those based on critical differences between two results (the reference change limit) and those based on time-series models.

Explore related subjects

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

H E Solberg. 1995. Subject-based reference values.. https://doi.org/10.3109/00365519509088444

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

Utility of follow-up tests for detecting recurrent disease in patients with malignant melanomas.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the effectiveness of follow-up tests for signaling recurrences in patients with intermediate- and high-risk malignant melanomas treated with curative intention. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. SETTING: North Central Cancer Treatment Group. PATIENTS: A total of 261 patients with resected local (> or = 1.69 mm) and regional nodal malignant melanomas who were enrolled in a single prospective adjuvant trial were studied. All patients were scheduled to be followed up monthly for 2 months, then every 2 months for the first year, every 4 months the second year, every 6 months the next 3 years, and annually thereafter, with each visit consisting of a history, physical examination, complete blood cell count, blood chemistry panel, and a chest x-ray. RESULTS: Of the 145 evaluable patients who developed recurrent melanomas, 99 patients (68%) developed symptoms that signaled the diagnosis of recurrent disease. Physical examination of asymptomatic patients led to the diagnosis of recurrent disease in 37 patients (26%). The other nine patients (6%) with recurrent disease had abnormal chest x-rays. Laboratory results were never a sole indicator of recurrent disease. CONCLUSION: The majority of recurrences following resection of primary melanomas are discovered by history and/or physical examination despite the frequent use of other follow-up tests. The present data indicate that routine blood analyses and chest x-rays have limited value in the postoperative follow-up of patients with resected intermediate- and high-risk melanomas.

Clinical Laboratory Techniques