biostudies-literatureZaydman MANIH Office of the DirectorBurroughs Wellcome FundNIH HHS103756https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC8299712biostudies-literatureUnknown117<h4>Objective</h4>Clinicians order laboratory tests in an effort to reduce diagnostic or therapeutic uncertainty. Information theory provides the opportunity to quantify the degree to which a test result is expected to reduce diagnostic uncertainty. We sought to apply information theory toward the evaluation and optimization of a diagnostic test threshold and to determine if the results would differ from those of conventional methodologies. We used a heparin/PF4 immunoassay (PF4 ELISA) as a case study.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>The laboratory database was queried for PF4 ELISA and serotonin release assay (SRA) results during the study period, with the latter serving as the gold standard for the disease heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). The optimized diagnostic threshold of the PF4Journal of biomedical informaticsUsing information theory to optimize a diagnostic threshold to match physician-ordering practice.PMC8299712CAMS 1019648DP5 OD028125Brestoff JRJackups RZaydman MAfalseUsing information theory to optimize a diagnostic threshold to match physician-ordering practice.<h4>Objective</h4>Clinicians order laboratory tests in an effort to reduce diagnostic or therapeutic uncertainty. Information theory provides the opportunity to quantify the degree to which a test result is expected to reduce diagnostic uncertainty. We sought to apply information theory toward the evaluation and optimization of a diagnostic test threshold and to determine if the results would differ from those of conventional methodologies. We used a heparin/PF4 immunoassay (PF4 ELISA) as a case study.<h4>Materials and methods</h4>The laboratory database was queried for PF4 ELISA and serotonin release assay (SRA) results during the study period, with the latter serving as the gold standard for the disease heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). The optimized diagnostic threshold of the PF42021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 May2025-04-05T10:03:31.528Z2025-04-05T10:03:31.528ZS-EPMC82997123376678110.1016/j.jbi.2021.103756