AJP - Endocrinology and Metabolism, Vol 254, Issue 6 E786-E794, Copyright © 1988 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Estimating false-positive and false-negative errors in analyses of hormonal pulsatility

E. Van Cauter
Institute of Interdisciplinary Research, Free University of Brussels, Belgium.

Previous studies evaluating computer algorithms for endocrine pulse detection have estimated the rate of false-positive pulses in series of purely random variations (i.e., "noise") and have determined pulse-detection criteria associated with low levels of such false-positive rates. The present study investigates the relationship between the false-positive rate and the sizes of the false-positive and false-negative errors on pulse frequency for series including both pulses and noise. The algorithm used (ULTRA) proceeds by eliminating all peaks of concentration for which either the increment or the decrement does not exceed a threshold expressed in multiples of the local intra-assay coefficient of variation. A total of 336 computer-generated series was analyzed using thresholds of two and three coefficients of variation. The effects of noise level, pulse frequency, pulse amplitude, and presence of a base-line variation on the sizes of the false-positive and false-negative errors were evaluated. The false-positive rate in noise series exceeded the false-positive rate by a 4- to 10-fold factor in series including at least 8 pulses/100 samples. When pulse frequency increased, the false-positive error decreased, but the false-negative error increased. In series with more than 8 pulses/100 samples, the use of thresholds aimed at maintaining the false-positive rate in noise series below 1% resulted in a false-negative error in excess of 20%. In conclusion, for hormonal profiles that include 8 or more pulses/100 samples, the use of pulse-detection criteria tailored to minimize the false-positive rate in noise series may result in an underestimation of pulse frequency.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				C. A. Everson and W. R. Crowley Reductions in circulating anabolic hormones induced by sustained sleep deprivation in rats Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, June 1, 2004; 286(6): E1060 - E1070. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. K. Lu, S. M. Callahan, and L. J. Brunner Suppression of Hepatic CYP3A1/2 and CYP2C11 by Cyclosporine Is Not Mediated by Altering Growth Hormone Levels J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., April 1, 2003; 305(1): 331 - 337. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				A. Caufriez, R. Moreno-Reyes, R. Leproult, F. Vertongen, E. Van Cauter, and G. Copinschi Immediate effects of an 8-h advance shift of the rest-activity cycle on 24-h profiles of cortisol Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, May 1, 2002; 282(5): E1147 - E1153. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				K. Spiegel, R. Leproult, E. F. Colecchia, M. L'Hermite-Baleriaux, Z. Nie, G. Copinschi, and E. Van Cauter Adaptation of the 24-h growth hormone profile to a state of sleep debt Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol, September 1, 2000; 279(3): R874 - R883. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R. Moreno-Reyes, M. Kerkhofs, M. L'Hermite-Baleriaux, M. O. Thorner, E. Van Cauter, and G. Copinschi Evidence against a role for the growth hormone-releasing peptide axis in human slow-wave sleep regulation Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, May 1, 1998; 274(5): E779 - E784. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Linkowski, K. Spiegel, M. Kerkhofs, M. L'Hermite-Baleriaux, A. Van Onderbergen, R. Leproult, J. Mendlewicz, and E. Van Cauter Genetic and environmental influences on prolactin secretion during wake and during sleep Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, May 1, 1998; 274(5): E909 - E919. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				T. Ordog, M.-D. Chen, K. T. O'Byrne, J. R. Goldsmith, M. A. Connaughton, J. Hotchkiss, and E. Knobil On the mechanism of lactational anovulation in the rhesus monkey Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, April 1, 1998; 274(4): E665 - E676. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Biston, E. Van Cauter, G. Ofek, P. Linkowski, K. S. Polonsky, and J.-P. Degaute Diurnal Variations in Cardiovascular Function and Glucose Regulation in Normotensive Humans Hypertension, November 1, 1996; 28(5): 863 - 871. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				J. Meyer, J. Sturis, M. Katschinski, R. Arnold, B. Goke, and M. M. Byrne Acute hyperglycemia alters the ability of the normal beta -cell to sense and respond to glucose Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab, April 1, 2002; 282(4): E917 - E922. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]