Low serum T3 levels are associated with false-positive results when using the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) in women with benign ovarian disease

Abstract

Objective: We investigated factors that could cause false-positive results when using the risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA) for assessing ovarian cancer risk. Materials and methods: ROMA scores were calculated from patients followed surgery to remove a pelvic mass. We compared a false-positive group with a true-negative group of ROMA scores. Results: We analyzed 324 patients using medical records. There were 22 with an epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), 15 with a borderline ovarian tumor, and 287 with benign disease. Twenty-nine (10.1%) of the patients with benign disease showed high-risk ROMA score (false positive) and 13/37 (35%) patients with EOC, or borderline ovarian tumor showed low ROMA scores (false negatives). The median serum triiodothyronine (T3) level of the false-positive ROMA group in patients with benign disease was lower than in the true-negative ROMA group (p < 0.001) and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was also lower (p = 0.001) in the false-positive ROMA group. Median serum T3 levels in the true-positive ROMA group among patients with EOC, or borderline ovarian tumor were lower than in the false-negative ROMA group (p = 0.043). Conclusion: Median serum T3 level and eGFR in the false-positive ROMA group in patients with benign ovarian disease were lower than in the true-negative group.

Keywords

• The risk of ovarian malignancy algorithm (ROMA)
• Ovarian cancer
• Predictive value of tests
• Triiodothyronine