"Test sensitivity at a threshold of 10 μg/g highlights a requirement for adequate safeguards in test-negative patients with ongoing symptoms. Further research is needed into the impact of patient characteristics and dual FIT."

"FIT sensitivity for CRC detection is maximised at the LoD; its performance is similar in high and low-risk symptoms, and across different analysers where a common threshold is used. FIT performance for CRC detection is adequate and transferrable to clinical diagnostic pathways."

This Swedish study protocol evaluates the diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness of quantitative faecal immunochemical tests (FIT) for symptomatic patients in primary care. By analyzing two samples from 3,000 participants aged 40 and above, researchers aim to confirm a hypothesized 95% sensitivity at a 10 micrograms Hb/g cutoff to safely rule out colorectal cancer. The findings will help establish FIT as a reliable non-invasive triage tool to prioritize high-risk referrals and reduce unnecessary colonoscopies in real-world clinical settings.

POCT-CRP testing is a valuable tool for distinguishing between bacterial and viral ARTIs, supporting more accurate antibiotic prescribing. While our meta-analysis shows high overall specificity (86%), sensitivity varies significantly by device; the FebriDx® (84%) outperformed both the NycoCard Reader II (54%) and QuikRead (35%). Although these tools enhance clinical decision-making, further evidence regarding their cost-effectiveness is essential to ensure they provide genuine healthcare value rather than simply increasing diagnostic expenses.

"The analytical performance and user-friendliness of POCT-CRP devices [QuikRead go easy, LumiraDx, cobas b 101 and Afinion 2] varies among manufacturers, emphasizing the need for quality assurance supervised by a central laboratory."

This study compared 17 point-of-care CRP tests and found that quantitative tests are significantly more reliable than semi-quantitative ones. While models like QuikRead go and Spinit showed high accuracy, many others exhibited substantial bias or poor performance in intermediate clinical ranges (10–80 mg/L). Ultimately, the researchers recommend quantitative POC devices as the superior choice for managing infections and supporting antibiotic stewardship, as they provide the consistent precision needed across all diagnostic categories.

"This unique and comprehensive study shows that out of six POC analyzers studied only two (The Lab 001 and Cobas B101) met international quality criteria (IFCC and NGSP), two (A1Care and Innovastar) were borderline and two (QuikReadgo and Allegro) were unacceptable. It is essential that the scientific and clinical community are equipped with this knowledge in order to make sound decisions on the use of these analyzers."

"Analytical performance, agreement, and user-friendliness of the POC CRP tests [Afinion and NycoCard Reader II (both Alere), Eurolyser Smart 700/340 (Eurolyser), QuikRead go and QuikRead 101 (both Orion Diagnostica)] varied considerably, yet overall four devices showed adequate analytical performance and agreement."

Both the BD Veritor™ system and the QuikRead go® Strep A test demonstrated comparable diagnostic performance, with the BD Veritor™ showing slightly higher agreement and specificity. Given their identical sensitivity of 80%, the selection of a point-of-care test for the emergency room should be based on practical factors such as cost, instrument size, and ease of implementation rather than clinical accuracy alone.

While most tested HbA1c methods [Afinion 2, HbA1c 501 (both utilizing boronate affinity), QuikRead go, cobas b 101, DCA Atellica] show minimal bias, the Standard F immunoassay exhibits a clinically significant interference with Hb Tacoma, resulting in a 38% mean relative bias (17 mmol/mol). This discrepancy likely stems from conformational changes in the variant affecting the assay's two-antibody design. Given the regional prevalence of Hb Tacoma, these findings highlight the necessity of selecting variant-robust methods to ensure accurate glycemic monitoring and patient safety.

"Larger studies to evaluate the accuracy and consequences of using FIT for surveillance of colorectal neoplasia are needed. FIT may be more interesting for post-resection CRC surveillance than follow-up of adenoma."

"Our results showed that the POCTs can be used by some patients and factors influencing the patient participation included psychological and physical limitations. Both POCTs appeared to have an acceptable clinical level of accuracy."

"Each system performed according to their manufacturers’ claims. The QuikRead go and OC-Sensor iO are suitable for use. The Eurolyser Cube is not recommended because of the risk of falsely low results."

"This POC FIT device is a useful adjunct to better manage TWW patients. The high observed sensitivity for CRC offers opportunities, within a single consultation, for improved triage and rationalization of investigation for those with bowel symptoms."

"One or two FITs in symptomatic patients referred for colonoscopy imply powerful risk stratification abilities for CRC, even among patients reporting rectal bleeding. Larger studies in various settings will clarify how to make the best use of this opportunity."

"An over-prescription of antibiotics for febrile patients was observed, even for those with low CRP levels and without a confirmed bacterial infection. The added value of the FebriDx was limited, while the combined use of rapid tests for qCRP and malaria should be considered for the management of acute febrile illness and antibiotic stewardship."

"Both systems were accurate in their ability to detect CRC. Whilst good agreement around the negative threshold was identified, more patients would be triaged to further colonic investigation if using the QuikRead go®."

"For all faecal immunochemical test brands, there are strategies at which the incremental net monetary benefit is positive compared with current care. The exact brand and threshold(s) that generate the greatest incremental net monetary benefit could not be robustly determined due to the similarity of incremental net monetary benefit values, parameter uncertainty and the possibility of omissions from the model structure."