TY - JOUR
T1 - The biological variation data critical appraisal checklist
T2 - A standard for evaluating studies on biological variation
AU - Aarsand, Aasne K.
AU - Røraas, Thomas
AU - Fernandez-Calle, Pilar
AU - Ricos, Carmen
AU - Díaz-Garzón, Jorge
AU - Jonker, Niels
AU - Perich, Carmen
AU - González-Lao, Elisabet
AU - Carobene, Anna
AU - Minchinela, Joana
AU - Coşkun, Abdurrahman
AU - Simón, Margarita
AU - Álvarez, Virtudes
AU - Bartlett, William A.
AU - Fernández-Fernández, Pilar
AU - Boned, Beatriz
AU - Braga, Federica
AU - Corte, Zoraida
AU - Aslan, Berna
AU - Sandberg, Sverre
PY - 2018/3/1
Y1 - 2018/3/1
N2 - Background: Concern has been raised about the quality of available biological variation (BV) estimates and the effect of their application in clinical practice. A European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Task and Finish Group has addressed this issue. The aim of this report is to (a) describe the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC), which verifies whether publications have included all essential elements that may impact the veracity of associated BV estimates, (b) use the BIVAC to critically appraise existing BV publications on enzymes, lipids, kidney, and diabetes-related measurands, and (c) apply metaanalysis to deliver a global within-subject BV (CVI) estimate for alanine aminotransferase (ALT).Methods: In the BIVAC, publications were rated as A, B, C, or D, indicating descending compliance for 14 BIVAC quality items, focusing on study design, methodology, and statistical handling. A D grade indicated that associated BV estimates should not be applied in clinical practice. Systematic searches were applied to identify BV studies for 28 different measurands.Results: In total, 128 publications were identified, providing 935 different BV estimates. Nine percent achieved D scores. Outlier analysis and variance homogeneity testing were scored as C in 60% of 847 cases. Metaanalysis delivered a CVI estimate for ALT of 15.4%.Conclusions: Application of BIVAC to BV publications identified deficiencies in required study detail and delivery, especially for statistical analysis. Those deficiencies impact the veracity of BV estimates. BV data from BIVAC-compliant studies can be combined to deliver robust global estimates for safe clinical application.
AB - Background: Concern has been raised about the quality of available biological variation (BV) estimates and the effect of their application in clinical practice. A European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine Task and Finish Group has addressed this issue. The aim of this report is to (a) describe the Biological Variation Data Critical Appraisal Checklist (BIVAC), which verifies whether publications have included all essential elements that may impact the veracity of associated BV estimates, (b) use the BIVAC to critically appraise existing BV publications on enzymes, lipids, kidney, and diabetes-related measurands, and (c) apply metaanalysis to deliver a global within-subject BV (CVI) estimate for alanine aminotransferase (ALT).Methods: In the BIVAC, publications were rated as A, B, C, or D, indicating descending compliance for 14 BIVAC quality items, focusing on study design, methodology, and statistical handling. A D grade indicated that associated BV estimates should not be applied in clinical practice. Systematic searches were applied to identify BV studies for 28 different measurands.Results: In total, 128 publications were identified, providing 935 different BV estimates. Nine percent achieved D scores. Outlier analysis and variance homogeneity testing were scored as C in 60% of 847 cases. Metaanalysis delivered a CVI estimate for ALT of 15.4%.Conclusions: Application of BIVAC to BV publications identified deficiencies in required study detail and delivery, especially for statistical analysis. Those deficiencies impact the veracity of BV estimates. BV data from BIVAC-compliant studies can be combined to deliver robust global estimates for safe clinical application.
U2 - 10.1373/clinchem.2017.281808
DO - 10.1373/clinchem.2017.281808
M3 - Article
C2 - 29222339
AN - SCOPUS:85042725099
SN - 0009-9147
VL - 64
SP - 501
EP - 514
JO - Clinical Chemistry
JF - Clinical Chemistry
IS - 3
ER -
