Background and Objective: Timely and accurate diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the successful management of diseases. However, delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis continue to be significant concerns, resulting in adverse effects on patient treatment outcomes. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are among the most prevalent infectious diseases globally, with over one million new cases acquired daily. The presence of misdiagnosis in STD cases cannot be ignored. The objective of the present study is to determine the rate of misdiagnosis of STDs and investigate the underlying factors contributing to this issue.
Methods: Specimens for STD diagnosis were collected from multiple clinics
and hospitals between June 1, 2021, and October 20, 2021. The DNA extraction
process utilized a magnetic bead-based method, followed by testing the
extracted DNA using the DiagCor GenoFlowTM STD Array Test Kit to identify
targeted pathogens.
Results: During the specified time, a total of 1459 specimens were
collected and included in the study. Among these, 643 specimens tested positive
for at least one targeted STD pathogen. Out of the positive cases, 494 were
aligned with the tests ordered by physicians, while the remaining 149 positive
cases had at least one pathogen detected that was not requested to be tested,
leading to misdiagnosis. The overall misdiagnosis rate was determined to be
23.2% (149 out of 643), with a higher frequency of misdiagnosis observed in
tests ordered for the detection of one to three pathogens. It is worth noting
that Ureaplasma urealyticum and/or Ureaplasma parvum (UU/UP) were the most
detected pathogens in this study.
Conclusion: The study's findings emphasize that incorrect test selection by
physicians is a major contributor to misdiagnosis in outpatient settings for
STD cases. To mitigate diagnostic errors in STD diagnosis, it is crucial for
physicians to meticulously choose and request tests that enable the detection
of multiple pathogens. Co-infections involving multiple pathogens are commonly
encountered among STD patients. Optimal test selection not only benefits
individual patients but also has wider implications for public health.
Expanding upon these findings, this chapter
delves into the challenges associated with STD misdiagnosis, explores the
potential consequences for patients and public health, and provides strategies
and recommendations for improving diagnostic accuracy in outpatient settings.
The discussion emphasizes the importance of comprehensive testing approaches
that encompass multiple pathogens to address the complexity of STD infections
effectively. Furthermore, the chapter highlights the significance of clinician
education and awareness regarding appropriate test selection, emphasizing the
need for ongoing professional development and updated guidelines in the field
of STD diagnosis. By addressing these issues, we can enhance diagnostic
practices, reduce misdiagnosis rates, and ultimately improve patient care and
public health outcomes in the context of sexually transmitted diseases.
Author(s)
Details:-
Dr.
Andes Lau
Clinical Laboratory Service Unit, Pangenia Life
Sciences Ltd., Hong Kong, China.
Dr.
Tyler Leung
DiagCor Life Science Ltd., Hong Kong SAR, China.
Dr.
David W. Y. Ho
Clinical Laboratory Service Unit, Pangenia Life
Sciences Ltd., Hong Kong, China.
Please see the link here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/nvmms/v9/12219F
No comments:
Post a Comment