Article Text
Abstract
This sixth best practice review examines four series of common primary care questions in laboratory medicine: (1) laboratory monitoring in hypertension and heart failure abnormalities; (2) markers of inflammatory joint disease; (3) laboratory investigation of chronic diarrhoea; and (4) mumps and chickenpox. The review is presented in question–answer format, referenced for each question series. The recommendations represent a precis of guidance found using a standardised literature search of national and international guidance notes, consensus statements, health policy documents and evidence-based medicine reviews, supplemented by Medline Embase searches to identify relevant primary research documents. They are not standards but form a guide to be set in the clinical context. Most are consensus based rather than evidence based. They will be updated periodically to take account of new information.
- ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
- ARB, angiotensin II receptor antagonists
- CRP, C reactive protein
- eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate
- ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- FBC, full blood count
- GFR, glomerular filtration rate
- GMS, General Medical Services
- HLA, human leucocyte antigen
- RhF, rheumatoid factor
- SpA, spondyloarthritides
- VZIG, varicella-zoster immunoglobulin
- VZV, varicella-zoster virus
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- ACEI, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors
- ARB, angiotensin II receptor antagonists
- CRP, C reactive protein
- eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate
- ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate
- FBC, full blood count
- GFR, glomerular filtration rate
- GMS, General Medical Services
- HLA, human leucocyte antigen
- RhF, rheumatoid factor
- SpA, spondyloarthritides
- VZIG, varicella-zoster immunoglobulin
- VZV, varicella-zoster virus
Footnotes
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Published Online First 5 July 2006
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↵* These organisations contributed direct funding to support the project start up.
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This work has been supported (in alphabetical order) by the Association of Clinical Biochemists*, Association of Clinical Pathologists*, Association of Medical Microbiologists, British Society for Haematology, Royal College of General Practitioners, Royal College of Pathologists* and the Sowerby Centre for Health Informatics in Newcastle (SCHIN), representatives of whom have contributed to the reviewing process. The opinions stated are however those of the authors.
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Competing interests: None declared.