Just published An Official American Thoracic Society Research Statement: A Research Framework for Pulmonary Nodule Evaluation and Management
Background: Pulmonary nodules are
frequently detected during diagnostic chest imaging and as a result of
lung cancer screening. Current guidelines for their evaluation are
largely based on low-quality evidence, and patients and clinicians could
benefit from more research in this area.
Methods: In this
research statement from the American Thoracic Society, a
multidisciplinary group of clinicians, researchers, and patient
advocates reviewed available evidence for pulmonary nodule evaluation,
characterized six focus areas to direct future research efforts, and
identified fundamental gaps in knowledge and strategies to address them.
We did not use formal mechanisms to prioritize one research area over
another or to achieve consensus.
Results: There was
widespread agreement that novel tests (including novel imaging tests and
biopsy techniques, biomarkers, and prognostic models) may improve
diagnostic accuracy for identifying cancerous nodules. Before they are
used in clinical practice, however, better evidence is needed to show
that they improve more distal outcomes of importance to patients. In
addition, the pace of research and the quality of clinical care would be
improved by the development of registries that link demographic and
nodule characteristics with patient-level outcomes. Methods to share
data from registries are also necessary.
Conclusions:
This statement may help researchers to develop impactful and innovative
research projects and enable funders to better judge research
proposals. We hope that it will accelerate the pace and increase the
efficiency of discovery to improve the quality of care for patients with
pulmonary nodules.
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