OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to temporally and externally validate the diagnostic performance of two logistic regression models containing clinical and ultrasound variables in order to estimate the risk of malignancy in adnexal masses, and to compare the results with the subjective interpretation of ultrasound findings carried out by an experienced ultrasound examiner ('subjective assessment'). METHODS: Patients with adnexal masses, who were put forward by the 19 centers participating in the study, underwent a standardized transvaginal ultrasound examination by a gynecologist or a radiologist specialized in ultrasonography. The examiner prospectively collected information on clinical and ultrasound variables, and classified each mass as benign or malignant on the basis of subjective evaluation of ultrasound findings. The gold standard was the histology of the mass with local clinicians deciding whether to operate on the basis of ultrasound results and the clinical picture. The models' ability to discriminate between malignant and benign masses was assessed, together with the accuracy of the risk estimates. RESULTS: Of the 1938 patients included in the study, 1396 had benign, 373 had primary invasive, 111 had borderline malignant and 58 had metastatic tumors. On external validation (997 patients from 12 centers), the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC) for a model containing 12 predictors (LR1) was 0.956, for a reduced model with six predictors (LR2) was 0.949 and for subjective assessment was 0.949. Subjective assessment gave a positive likelihood ratio of 11.0 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.14. The corresponding likelihood ratios for a previously derived probability threshold (0.1) were 6.84 and 0.09 for LR1, and 6.36 and 0.10 for LR2. On temporal validation (941 patients from seven centers), the AUCs were 0.945 (LR1), 0.918 (LR2) and 0.959 (subjective assessment). CONCLUSIONS: Both models provide excellent discrimination between benign and malignant masses. Because the models provide an objective and reasonably accurate risk estimation, they may improve the management of women with suspected ovarian pathology.
OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were to temporally and externally validate the diagnostic performance of two logistic regression models containing clinical and ultrasound variables in order to estimate the risk of malignancy in adnexal masses, and to compare the results with the subjective interpretation of ultrasound findings carried out by an experienced ultrasound examiner ('subjective assessment'). METHODS:Patients with adnexal masses, who were put forward by the 19 centers participating in the study, underwent a standardized transvaginal ultrasound examination by a gynecologist or a radiologist specialized in ultrasonography. The examiner prospectively collected information on clinical and ultrasound variables, and classified each mass as benign or malignant on the basis of subjective evaluation of ultrasound findings. The gold standard was the histology of the mass with local clinicians deciding whether to operate on the basis of ultrasound results and the clinical picture. The models' ability to discriminate between malignant and benign masses was assessed, together with the accuracy of the risk estimates. RESULTS: Of the 1938 patients included in the study, 1396 had benign, 373 had primary invasive, 111 had borderline malignant and 58 had metastatic tumors. On external validation (997 patients from 12 centers), the area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve (AUC) for a model containing 12 predictors (LR1) was 0.956, for a reduced model with six predictors (LR2) was 0.949 and for subjective assessment was 0.949. Subjective assessment gave a positive likelihood ratio of 11.0 and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.14. The corresponding likelihood ratios for a previously derived probability threshold (0.1) were 6.84 and 0.09 for LR1, and 6.36 and 0.10 for LR2. On temporal validation (941 patients from seven centers), the AUCs were 0.945 (LR1), 0.918 (LR2) and 0.959 (subjective assessment). CONCLUSIONS: Both models provide excellent discrimination between benign and malignant masses. Because the models provide an objective and reasonably accurate risk estimation, they may improve the management of women with suspected ovarian pathology.
Authors: Ben Van Calster; Yvonne Vergouwe; Caspar W N Looman; Vanya Van Belle; Dirk Timmerman; Ewout W Steyerberg Journal: Eur J Epidemiol Date: 2012-10-07 Impact factor: 8.082
Authors: Ben Van Calster; Lil Valentin; Caroline Van Holsbeke; Antonia C Testa; Tom Bourne; Sabine Van Huffel; Dirk Timmerman Journal: BMC Med Res Methodol Date: 2010-10-20 Impact factor: 4.615
Authors: Ben Van Calster; Andrew J Vickers; Michael J Pencina; Stuart G Baker; Dirk Timmerman; Ewout W Steyerberg Journal: Med Decis Making Date: 2013-01-11 Impact factor: 2.583
Authors: Dirk Timmerman; Lieveke Ameye; Daniela Fischerova; Elisabeth Epstein; Gian Benedetto Melis; Stefano Guerriero; Caroline Van Holsbeke; Luca Savelli; Robert Fruscio; Andrea Alberto Lissoni; Antonia Carla Testa; Joan Veldman; Ignace Vergote; Sabine Van Huffel; Tom Bourne; Lil Valentin Journal: BMJ Date: 2010-12-14
Authors: Vanya M C A Van Belle; Ben Van Calster; Dirk Timmerman; Tom Bourne; Cecilia Bottomley; Lil Valentin; Patrick Neven; Sabine Van Huffel; Johan A K Suykens; Stephen Boyd Journal: PLoS One Date: 2012-03-29 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: A Sayasneh; L Wynants; J Preisler; J Kaijser; S Johnson; C Stalder; R Husicka; Y Abdallah; F Raslan; A Drought; A A Smith; S Ghaem-Maghami; E Epstein; B Van Calster; D Timmerman; T Bourne Journal: Br J Cancer Date: 2013-05-14 Impact factor: 7.640