Multiplexed plasma protein classifiers for the diagnosis of age‐related macular degeneration

The AUROC for AMD was 0.744 (95% CI, 0.700–0.787; Figure 2). [...]a threshold including PPV or NPV should be established for proper diagnostic testing. SEE PDF] For optimal visual outcomes, early diagnosis and timely treatment of AMD are important.3 By a Markov model, regular screening with fundus examination, although not cost-effective, is better than oral supplementation for preventing AMD-induced blindness.10 However, still human resources for fundus photography and the patient access to the funduscopic device can be issues in developed and developing countries, and older people are often unwilling to visit the ophthalmology clinic for fundus examination due to reasons such as the distance to the clinic, discomfort associated with fundus examination, medical costs, and lack of knowledge of AMD. [...]our simple and convenient screening method based on our plasma proteomics MRM assay that does not require fundus photography and human assessors may help in the early diagnosis and treatment of major retinal disease and may be beneficial in preventing blindness in the elderly populations and revolutionise the current screening method for AMD in the future. AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS HS Ahn: interpretation of data, drafting or revising the article; Y Lee: acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data; HM Kim: acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting or revising the article; S Ju: acquisition and analysis of data; S Lee: acquisition and analysis of data; HG Jung, acquisition of data; SJ Park: acquisition of data; KH Park: acquisition of data; J Lee: animal experiment and acquisition of data; JY Lee: acquisition of data; SJ Woo: conception and design, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting or revising the article; C Lee: conceptual design of the study, analysis and interpretation of data, drafting or revising the article.