Summary

Summary

  • The technology described in this briefing is the MR-proADM test. It measures levels of mid-regional proadrenomedullin (MR-proADM), a precursor of adrenomedullin, levels of which can be increased in severe infections. The MR-proADM test is used alongside tools such as the National Early Warning Score (NEWS and NEWS2) to detect clinical deterioration in cases of suspected infection.

  • The innovative aspect is that the test measures a unique biomarker (MR-proADM) that allows more accurate prediction of deterioration.

  • The intended place in therapy would be with NEWS, NEWS2 and other tests and observations in people with suspected infection.

  • The main points from the evidence summarised in this briefing are from 5 observational studies of 3,217 people with suspected infections in hospital. They show that MR-proADM can improve accuracy of infection diagnosis and can predict the infection's severity.

  • Key uncertainties around the evidence or technology are that there are only 2 studies that evaluate MR-proADM used with the NEWS.

  • The cost of MR-proADM is approximately £10 to £20 per test. The resource impact could be less than standard of care because of reduced need for further tests and procedures. However, there is a lack of prospective studies showing how MR-proADM results influence clinical decisions.