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Australia

"New peanut allergy test gives hope"

Source: NineMSN

Published: 20 Mar 2012

Category: Diagnostic Test

Rating: (2 stars)

Keywords: peanut allergy diagnostic

what they said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

Potential allergy sufferers could soon avoid the risk of a severe anaphylactic reaction when being tested for peanut intolerence.

The original article can be found at: http://www.news.ninemsn.com.au/health/8438411/new-peanut-allergy-test-gives-hope

how did it rate? (more information)

Criteria	Rating
Total Score	3 of 9
Availability of Test	Not Satisfactory (?)
Novelty of Test	Satisfactory (?)
Diagnostic Options	Satisfactory (?)
Disease Mongering	Satisfactory (?)
Evidence	Not Satisfactory (?)
Quantification of diagnostic accuracy and benefits	Not Satisfactory (?)
Potential harms of Testing	Not Satisfactory (?)
Costs of Testing	Not Satisfactory (?)
Sources of Information	Not Satisfactory (?)
Relies on Press Release	Not Applicable

what we said (Hover the mouse cursor over underlined words for more info)

While better diagnosis of childhood allergies is an important issue, this story hides more than it tells. The test is not described. Is this a simple blood test, or something more complex? Who were the 5300 infants, and how was it determined which of them actually had allergies? How does it compare with existing tests in terms of safety and cost and what is the evidence that this test is indeed more accurate? And, is it actually available? There is no independent expert opinion which might have cleared up many of the missing aspects of the story.

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