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Performance of a third generation TSH-receptor antibody (TRAb) in a UK clinic.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  21521291     Owner:  NLM     Status:  Publisher    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Background:  UK national guidelines recommend the measurement of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) in certain clinical scenarios. A commercial third generation TRAb autoantibody M22-biotin ELISA assay was introduced in May 2008 in our centre. Objective:  To evaluate the diagnostic performance of a TRAb assay in a retrospective and subsequently a prospective cohort in a UK centre. Design:  A retrospective review of patients with thyroid disease followed by a prospective observational study in consecutive patients with newly found suppressed serum thyrotrophin (TSH). Patients and measurements:  Medical records of 200 consecutive patients with thyroid disorders who had TRAb measured since the introduction of the assay. In a prospective study 44 patients with newly identified hyperthyroidism (TSH <0.02 mIU/L) had sera assayed for TRAb prior to their clinic appointment at which a final diagnosis was sought. Results:  In the retrospective cohort, the manufacturer's cut-off point of TRAb ≥0.4 u/L resulted in a positive predictive value (PPV) of 95%, sensitivity 85%, specificity 94% and negative predictive value (NVP) 79%to diagnose Graves' disease using defined criteria. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis determined an optimal cut-off point of TRAb ≥3.5 u/L with a 100% specificity to exclude patients without Graves' disease at the cost though of a lower sensitivity (43%). In the prospective study, the sensitivity, PPV, specificity and NPV were all 96% using the ≥0.4 u/L cut-off. When combining hyperthyroid patients from both cohorts the assay sensitivity and specificity at ≥0.4 u/L cut-off were 95% and 92% respectively. A positive TRAb result increased the probability of Graves' disease for a particular patient by 25-35% and only 6 (2.5%) patients had a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism of uncertain aetiology after TRAb testing. Conclusions:  The assay studied specifically identifies patients with Graves' disease. It is a reliable tool in the initial clinical assessment to determine the aetiology of hyperthyroidism and has the potential for cost-savings.
Authors:
A Theodoraki; G Jones; J Parker; E Woolman; N Martin; S Perera; M Thomas; C Bunn; B Khoo; Pm Bouloux; Mpj Vanderpump
Publication Detail:
Type:  JOURNAL ARTICLE     Date:  2011-2-19
Journal Detail:
Title:  Clinical endocrinology     Volume:  -     ISSN:  1365-2265     ISO Abbreviation:  -     Publication Date:  2011 Feb 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2011-4-27     Completed Date:  -     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0346653     Medline TA:  Clin Endocrinol (Oxf)     Country:  -    
Other Details:
Languages:  ENG     Pagination:  -     Citation Subset:  -    
Copyright Information:
Copyright © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.
Affiliation:
Department of Endocrinology Department of Clinical Immunology Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom.
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