Rapid Diagnostic Testing for Seasonal Influenza: An Evidence-Based Review and Comparison with Unaided Clinical Diagnosis

摘要: Abstract Background: Worldwide, seasonal influenza imposes a considerable health and economic burden. Clinical diagnosis of influenza-like illness (ILI) is complicated by non-specific symptomatology. Rapid flu tests (RFTs) impact treatment decisions may improve patient care; yet, recommendations for RFT use are broad, the performance unaided clinical relative to RFTs unclear. Objectives: To determine age-stratified, overall sensitivities specificities widely studied RFT, QuickVue® (Quidel Corporation, San Diego, CA), ILI meta-analysis seek factors associated with poorer diagnostic discrimination. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted using article selection criteria identifying studies indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, other pertinent sources reporting sensitivity, specificity, effects on decision-making patients ILI. Results: QuickVue's® specificity exceeds that 29–31%. False-positive results occur approximately 8.2 times more frequently than alone. These findings were unaffected variations disease prevalence. reduce testing, antibiotic use, emergency department utilization while increasing antiviral prescription rates. No relationship between broadness observed across included this review. Conclusions: Use improves above based irrespective criteria, affects decision-making. provide an improved framework upon which diagnose influenza, design future studies, modify existing management.