The basis for monitoring strategies in clinical guidelines: a case study of prostate-specific antigen for monitoring in prostate cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The volume of published literature on the evaluation and use of tests for monitoring purposes is sparse. Our aim was to determine the extent to which recommendations for monitoring prostate-specific antigen to detect recurrent prostate cancer consider key factors that should inform rule-based strategies for monitoring.

Methods

We reviewed the recommendations made in clinical guidelines for the repeated measurement of prostate-specific antigen in men who have received primary treatment for localized prostate cancer. We assessed the guidelines using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Framework.

Results

We identified guidelines and statements of best practice from nine organizations. We saw considerable inconsistency in recommendations for

SUBMITTER: Dinnes J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3273504 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature