Kozlowski 2007 GC.
Clinical features and settings | Routine referral. | |
Participants | 6906 participants with complete outcome data. Germany ‐ gynaecologists practices. January 2000‐December 2003. Pregnant women. Median maternal age 32 years (15‐48 years), 26.4% ≥ 35 years. 11‐14 weeks' gestation. |
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Study design | Cohort study. | |
Target condition and reference standard(s) | Down's syndrome: 19 cases. Reference standard: karyotyping or follow‐up to birth. |
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Index and comparator tests | Maternal age. First trimester NT (FMF certified gynaecologists). First trimester free ßhCG and PAPP‐A (Kryptor analyser, Brahms). Risk cut‐point 1:300. |
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Follow‐up | Data on pregnancy outcome were obtained by contacting the patient or their general gynaecologist. Women without complete outcome data (36%) were excluded from the study. | |
Aim of study | To evaluate and compare the screening performance for fetal trisomy 21 in the first trimester of pregnancy in general gynaecologists practices and specialised centres for prenatal care in Germany. | |
Notes | ||
Table of Methodological Quality | ||
Item | Authors' judgement | Description |
Representative spectrum? All tests | Yes | Routine screening of typical pregnant population. |
Acceptable reference standard? All tests | Yes | Karyotyping or follow‐up to birth. |
Partial verification avoided? All tests | Yes | All women received a reference standard. |
Differential verification avoided? All tests | No | Choice of reference standard depended on index test results. |
Incorporation avoided? All tests | Yes | Reference standard was independent of the index test. |
Reference standard results blinded? All tests | No | Reference standard interpreted with knowledge of index test results. |
Index test results blinded? All tests | Yes | Index test interpreted without knowledge of reference standard results. |
Relevant clinical information? All tests | Yes | Information available as would be in standard clinical practice. |
Uninterpretable results reported? All tests | No | No details given for test failures/uninterpretable measurements. |
Withdrawals explained? All tests | Yes | 146 women (including 11 with Down's syndrome) excluded as results could not be assigned to gynaecologists or prenatal centre group. |