REPCAT: Desktop expert system for interpreting and validating laboratory data for pheochromocytoma diagnosis with the database application omnis 7(TM)

Abstract

To aid in the validation and interpretive reporting of results from multianalyte diagnostic testing for pheochromocytoma (PHEO), we have developed a desktop personal computer-based laboratory expert system (REPCAT). REPCAT utilizes a commercial database application to run procedures that assess analytical and clinical data relating to patient urine or plasma samples. REPCAT was used to evaluate the raw data from >4000 24-h urine samples submitted to our laboratory for testing for the presence of PHEO. REPCAT performed equivalently to an expert pathologist in assessing the presence and class of PHEO (epinephrine, norepinephrine, or mixed secretor). No false negatives were generated and it assigned a correct interpretation (on the basis of subsequent clinical and biochemical investigation) for each of the primary diagnostic samples from these patients.