Abstract
PCP is a common cause of mortality in patients with AIDS. This study uses decision analysis to determine the optimal management of an AIDS patient who has respiratory symptoms suggestive of PCP. A decision tree is constructed with four initial branches corresponding to the available clinical options: (1) observation with neither a diagnostic procedure nor medical therapy; (2) empiric drug therapy for PCP; (3) diagnostic bronchoscopy with BAL to establish the diagnosis of PCP; (4) open lung biopsy to establish a specific diagnosis. The decision tree is used to ascertain the clinical strategy leading to the least likelihood of morbidity and mortality. This model suggests that optimal management of most patients is empiric drug therapy for PCP. This conclusion appears to be contrary to the way patients are managed by most clinicians.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 252-257 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Seminars in Respiratory Medicine |
| Volume | 10 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| State | Published - 1989 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine
Cite this
Diagnostic approach to acquired immunodeficient patients with pulmonary symptoms : A decision analytic strategy. / Auerbach, D. M.; Harber, P.
In: Seminars in Respiratory Medicine, Vol. 10, No. 3, 1989, p. 252-257.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnostic approach to acquired immunodeficient patients with pulmonary symptoms
T2 - A decision analytic strategy
AU - Auerbach, D. M.
AU - Harber, P.
PY - 1989
Y1 - 1989
N2 - PCP is a common cause of mortality in patients with AIDS. This study uses decision analysis to determine the optimal management of an AIDS patient who has respiratory symptoms suggestive of PCP. A decision tree is constructed with four initial branches corresponding to the available clinical options: (1) observation with neither a diagnostic procedure nor medical therapy; (2) empiric drug therapy for PCP; (3) diagnostic bronchoscopy with BAL to establish the diagnosis of PCP; (4) open lung biopsy to establish a specific diagnosis. The decision tree is used to ascertain the clinical strategy leading to the least likelihood of morbidity and mortality. This model suggests that optimal management of most patients is empiric drug therapy for PCP. This conclusion appears to be contrary to the way patients are managed by most clinicians.
AB - PCP is a common cause of mortality in patients with AIDS. This study uses decision analysis to determine the optimal management of an AIDS patient who has respiratory symptoms suggestive of PCP. A decision tree is constructed with four initial branches corresponding to the available clinical options: (1) observation with neither a diagnostic procedure nor medical therapy; (2) empiric drug therapy for PCP; (3) diagnostic bronchoscopy with BAL to establish the diagnosis of PCP; (4) open lung biopsy to establish a specific diagnosis. The decision tree is used to ascertain the clinical strategy leading to the least likelihood of morbidity and mortality. This model suggests that optimal management of most patients is empiric drug therapy for PCP. This conclusion appears to be contrary to the way patients are managed by most clinicians.
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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0024383130&partnerID=8YFLogxK
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0024383130
VL - 10
SP - 252
EP - 257
JO - Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
JF - Seminars in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine
SN - 1069-3424
IS - 3
ER -