Epidemiology-based assessment of tumor marker overordering in breast cancer: an algorithm to examine different disease conditions

摘要

Laboratory tests are frequently overused and have elevated inappropriateness rates. We previously developed a model to investigate the rate of utilization of tumor markers (TMs) in outpatients as an indirect indicator of inappropriateness. The model was based on the comparison between the number of actually ordered and expected tests, with the latter estimated on the basis of both epidemiological data and recommendations of available clinical practice guidelines.