Evidence map›Paper›PMID 25878672›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of pediatric endocrinology2015

The pitfalls associated with urinary steroid metabolite ratios in children undergoing investigations for suspected disorders of steroid synthesis.

Angela K Lucas-Herald, Martina Rodie, Laura Lucaccioni, David Shapiro, Jane McNeilly, M Guftar Shaikh, S Faisal Ahmed

Open access · diamondAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of pediatric endocrinology, 2015. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
0.5field-weighted citation impact, top 34% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 8 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.

Angela K Lucas-HeraldDevelopmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Yorkhill, Dalnair Street, Glasgow, G3 8SJ UK.
Martina RodieDevelopmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Yorkhill, Dalnair Street, Glasgow, G3 8SJ UK.
Laura LucaccioniDevelopmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Yorkhill, Dalnair Street, Glasgow, G3 8SJ UK.
David ShapiroDepartment of Biochemistry, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Alexandra Parade, Glasgow, G4 0SF UK.
Jane McNeillyDepartment of Biochemistry, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, G51 4TF UK.
M Guftar ShaikhDevelopmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Yorkhill, Dalnair Street, Glasgow, G3 8SJ UK.
S Faisal AhmedDevelopmental Endocrinology Research Group, Royal Hospital for Sick Children Yorkhill, Dalnair Street, Glasgow, G3 8SJ UK.
Royal Hospital for Children · GBGlasgow Royal Infirmary · GBSouthern General Hospital · GB

Funding

Medical Research Council G1100236
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundUrinary steroid metabolite ratios may improve the diagnostic yield of potential disorders of steroid hormone synthesis.

objectivesTo investigate the range of ratios and their predictive value in children with suspected disorders of steroid synthesis. DESIGN AND

methodsTwelve ratios were calculated on steroid metabolite data analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in urine samples collected between 2008-2010 from 93 children. Urine samples were also analysed in 252 children with no known endocrine concerns.

resultsOf the 252 controls, 115 (46%) were male with a median age of 10 yr (range 1 month,18.5 years). Of the 93 cases, 38 (41%) were male with a median age of 6.5 yr (1 day,18.5 yrs). Of these, 41 (44%) had at least one ratio greater than the 95% percentile for controls. The most frequently abnormal ratio, found in 18/93 (19%) cases was (THS/(THE + THF + 5αTHF)) suggestive of 11β-hydroxylase deficiency. Over this period, 8 (9%) children were subsequently diagnosed with a steroid hormone disorder; 4 with 21-hydroxylase deficiency, 2 with11β-hydroxylase deficiency and 2 with 5α-reductase deficiency. All except one of these children had at least 1 raised ratio.

conclusionsUrinary steroid metabolite ratios in suspected disorders of hormone synthesis often exceed the reference range for normal children. The predictive value of steroid metabolite ratios in identifying a genetic abnormality may be condition specific and needs further study to improve its clinical utility.

Indexed as

Disorders of sex developmentUrine

Identifiers

PMID25878672
PMCPMC4397675
OpenAlexW2104832101

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.