In vitro and skin testing for allergy: comparable
clinical utility and costs
The American Journal of Managed Care, Vol. 4, No.
7, July 1998
Summary
A recent review of scientific literature indicates that in vitro
and skin testing for allergy are highly correlated. Although the
cost per test of in vitro testing remains greater than that of
skin testing, the per-patient costs of the two modalities appear
to be comparable. In summary, both skin testing and
in vitro testing
are acceptable as frontline diagnostic tools.
-
Although the
absence of a gold standard confounds absolute sensitivity
and specificity of these tests, the scientific literature demonstrates
that skin testing and in vitro testing are highly correlated.
-
The correlation between the Pharmacia CAP System™ and
skin testing ranges from 87 percent to 95 percent.
-
Variations in skin testing practice may lead to large
differences in diagnostic conclusions.
-
The per-patient costs of in vitro and skin testing appear
to be comparable due to the greater number of allergens typically
used in skin testing.
-
The actual difference in total diagnostic charge between
patients receiving skin tests versus in vitro tests is a
much smaller difference than has been reported.
Request full article
|
