Clinical genetics laboratories use divergent demographic frameworks across countries: comparing data structures for race, ethnicity, and ancestry on test requisition forms

Purpose. The goal of this study is to investigate how population groups are represented on requisition forms for clinical genetic testing in different laboratories. Methods. Clinical laboratory test requisition forms (RFs) were obtained from 70 laboratories in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia. Details about the laboratories and how RFs represent patient demographics were extracted and analyzed for trends between forms in the U.S. (N=213) and other countries (N=203). Results. Clinical genetics laboratories included in the analysis vary widely regarding the format of demographic data collected on test requisition forms. US-based laboratory RFs are more likely than those from other countries to include race or ethnicity. These are most often represented as categorical data, with multiple-choice options. RFs from laboratories in other countries do not include race, and those that include ethnicity most often provide a blank space for open-ended responses. Conclusions. These results are consistent with existing research on heterogeneity in the nomenclature and number of categories used to describe patient populations across clinical genetics laboratories in the US. It also suggests systemic differences in the way measures of diversity are conceptualized in the US compared to other countries.

Clinical and CT Characteristics of Medical Personnel with the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan

Objectives: To investigate the clinical and chest CT characteristics of medical personnel infected with the Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19).Methods: The clinical, laboratory test and computed tomography (CT) features of 30 medical personnel (MP group, 26-65 years, 16 males) with COVID-19 were retrospectively analyzed, and compared to 33 non-medical related patients (non-MP group, 26-74 years, 19 males). Follow-up CT characteristics were analyzed to assess the changes of the COVID-19 infection in the period of hospitalization.Results: At admission, the main complaints of MP group, including fever (86.7%), fatigue (53.3%) and cough (43.3%), were similar to the non-MP group; the C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and lactate dehydrogenase levels of the non-MP group (55.6±45.9mg/L, 34.7±26.3mm/H and 321±117U/L) were higher than that of the MP group (17.8±19.9mg/L, 18.6±21.3mm/H and 219±54.2U/L, respectively, all p<0.05). Ground-grass opacities, consolidation, interstitial thickening were common CT features of both groups. The days from illness onset to the first CT exam, and the severity of opacities on initial CT were less in the MP group than that of the non-MP group (p<0.05). However, the days from onset to observation of the most obvious pulmonary opacities, according to CT findings, were similar in the MP group (11.5±5.9 days) and the non-MP group (12.2±3.1 days, p=0.55).Conclusions: Like the general population, medical personnel are also susceptible to the COVID-19, although with more professional knowledge and protective equipment. Occupational exposure is a very important factor. Medical personnel have a higher vigilance about the infection in the early stage of the disease.