METHOD FOR MAKING A FINDING FOR THE FUNCTIONALITY OF AN ANOREXIGENIC SIGNAL PATH FOR A PATIENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of providing a FAS finding (30) for the functionality of an anorexigenic signal path for a patient, comprising the steps: providing a sample matrix (10) of a body substance of the patient, determining at least one first FAS indicator (11) from the sample matrix (10), determining at least one second FAS indicator (12) from the sample matrix (10), wherein the at least one second FAS indicator (12) is different from the at least one first FAS indicator (11), and generating the FAS finding (30) using an indicator spectrum (20) comprising the at least one first FAS indicator (11) and the at least one second FAS indicator (12). The invention also relates to an analysis device (100) for providing a FAS finding (30) with a computer program product according to the invention (90) and a storage means (80) with a computer program product (90) according to the invention stored thereon.

Claims

1. Method of providing a FAS finding (30) for the functionality of an anorexigenic signal path for a patient, comprising the steps: providing a sample matrix (10) of a body substance of the patient, determining at least one first FAS indicator (11) from the sample matrix (10), determining at least one second FAS indicator (12) from the sample matrix (10), wherein the at least one second FAS indicator (12) is different from the at least one first FAS indicator (11), and generating the FAS finding (30) using an indicator spectrum (20) comprising the at least one first FAS indicator (11) and the at least one second FAS indicator (12).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one first FAS indicator (11) comprises an MSH concentration, in particular an α-MSH concentration, in the sample matrix (10).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one first FAS indicator (11) comprises a CLIP concentration in the sample matrix (10).

4. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one second FAS indicator (12) comprises the concentration of at least one peptide hormone in the sample matrix (10).

5. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one second FAS indicator (12) in each case comprises the concentration of different peptide hormones in the sample matrix (10).

6. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that in order to generate the FAS finding (30), at least one third FAS indicator (13) which is determined beforehand in the context of a big data analysis and which is different from the first FAS indicator (11) and is different from the second FAS indicator (12) is determined, wherein the at least one third FAS indicator (13) comprises in particular at least one of the following features: patient's BMI is greater than 35, patient has anorexia, patient has grade II-III obesity syndrome, patient shows clinical symptoms of obesity, indication of disturbance of the functionality of the anorexigenic signal path, FAS, from the patient's genetic background.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one first FAS indicator (11) is determined on the basis of at least one measured value (11n) for a first analyte in the sample matrix (10) and/or the at least one second FAS indicator (12) is determined on the basis of at least one measured value (12n) for a second analyte in the sample matrix (10), wherein the first analyte and the second analyte are in particular located at different points within a control loop or a synthesis chain.

8. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a plurality of first measured values (11n) are determined for a first analyte in the sample matrix (10) and/or a plurality of second measured values (12n) are determined for a second analyte in the sample matrix (10), wherein the first measured values (11n) are expanded to form a first group of measured values (11n+) and/or the second measured values (12n) are expanded to form a second group of measured values (12n+), wherein the at least one first FAS indicator (11) is determined on the basis of the first group of measured values (11n+) and the at least one second FAS indicator (12) is determined on the basis of the second group of measured values (12n+).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that a quantitative mean first deviation value (60) of the first group of measured values (11n+) from a predefined first reference value (40) and/or a quantitative mean second deviation value (70) of the second group of measured values (12n+) from a predefined second reference value (50) are determined and the FAS finding (30) is generated as a function of the first deviation value (60) and/or the second deviation value (70).

10. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one first FAS indicator (11), the at least one second FAS indicator (12) and/or the at least one third FAS indicator (13) are multiplied by a weighting factor and the FAS finding (30) is generated as a function of the weighted FAS indicators (11, 12, 13).

11. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that a blood sample, a whole blood sample, a plasma sample, a serum sample, a cerebrospinal fluid sample and/or a urine sample, in each case in liquid or dry form, is used as the sample matrix (10).

12. Computer program product (90) which is configured and designed to carry out a method according to claim 1 on a provided sample matrix (10).

13. Storage means (80) with a computer program product (90) according to claim 12 stored thereon.

14. Analysis device (100) for providing a FAS finding (30) for a patient, with a computer program product (90) according to claim 12 installed therein, having a determination device for determining at least one first FAS indicator (11) from a sample matrix (10) and for determining at least one second FAS indicator (12) from the sample matrix (10), wherein the at least one second FAS indicator (12) is different from the at least one first FAS indicator (11), and a generating device for generating the FAS finding (30) using an indicator spectrum (20) comprising the at least one first FAS indicator (11) and the at least one second FAS indicator (12).

Description

[0035] Further measures to improve the invention are disclosed in the following description of various embodiments of the invention, which are represented schematically in the figures. All features and/or advantages resulting from the claims, the description or the drawing, including constructive details and spatial arrangements, can be essential to the invention both in themselves and in the various combinations.

[0036] In each case schematically:

[0037] FIG. 1 shows a representation explaining a method according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0038] FIG. 2 shows a representation explaining a method according to a second embodiment of the present invention,

[0039] FIG. 3 shows a representation explaining a method according to a third embodiment of the present invention,

[0040] FIG. 4 shows a representation explaining a method according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,

[0041] FIG. 5 shows a representation explaining a method according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,

[0042] FIG. 6 shows a representation explaining a method according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,

[0043] FIG. 7 shows a representation explaining a method according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and

[0044] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram representing an analysis device with a storage means and a computer program product stored thereon according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Elements with the same function and mode of action are in each case given the same reference signs in FIGS. 1 to 8.

[0046] A method of providing a FAS finding 30 for the functionality of an anorexigenic signal path for a human patient according to a first embodiment is now explained with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 shows a test tube in which a sample matrix 10 in the form of a blood sample of the patient is located. A first FAS indicator 11, a second FAS indicator 12 and a third FAS indicator 13 are now determined from the sample matrix 10, wherein the three FAS indicators 11, 12, 13 are different from each other. The first FAS indicator 11 comprises an α-MSH concentration in the sample matrix 10 and the second FAS indicator 12 comprises a concentration of a peptide hormone in the sample matrix 10.

[0047] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, it can be determined on the basis of the first FAS indicator 11 that the functionality of the anorexigenic signal value can be described as normal. The same applies to the second FAS indicator 12. The third FAS indicator indicates that the functionality of the anorexigenic signal value may be disturbed. The three FAS indicators 11, 12, 13 form an indicator spectrum 20. Based on the predominantly positive indication, a FAS finding 30 can now be derived from the overall consideration of the indicator spectrum 20 to the effect that there is probably no, or only a very weakly manifested, malfunction of the anorexigenic signal value. In other words, the anorexigenic signal value appears to function normally or substantially normally. As a result, it can now in turn be concluded that an obesity in question is not, or only scarcely, caused by genetic factors. The illustrated marking of the FAS indicators 11, 12, 13 and of the FAS finding 30 with “+” and “−” also allows exactly the opposite diagnosis, depending on a previously specified interpretation of the sign.

[0048] FIG. 2 shows an example according to a second embodiment in which all FAS indicators 11, 12, 13 come up negative, i.e. according to a specified interpretation they indicate a malfunction of the anorexigenic signal value. By considering the associated indicator spectrum 20, a FAS finding 30 can now be derived which indicates a genetic malfunction of the anorexigenic signal value.

[0049] A method according to a third embodiment is now explained with reference to FIG. 3. According to the embodiment shown, a plurality of first measured values 11n are determined for a first analyte in the sample matrix 10 and a plurality of second measured values 12n are determined for a second analyte in the sample matrix 10, wherein the first measured values 11n are expanded to form a first group of measured values 11n+ and the second measured values 12n are expanded to form a second group of measured values 12n+. The first FAS indicator 11 is determined on the basis of the first group of measured values 11n+ and the second FAS indicator 12 is determined on the basis of the second group of measured values 12n+. The first analyte and the second analyte are located at different points within a control loop or a synthesis chain.

[0050] In particular, the values of the first group of measured values 11n+ are compared with a first reference value 40 and the values of the second group of measured values 12+ are compared with a second reference value. The respective FAS indicator 11, 12 is now concluded on the basis of the respective comparison. Purely by way of example, the reference values 40, 50 shown in FIG. 3 lie above or substantially above the respective group of measured values 11n+, 12n+. Depending on the previous interpretation and definition, the reference values can, alternatively or additionally, also be lower, in particular also below the respective group of measured values, whereby the present result is nevertheless achieved. That is to say, in this case a FAS indicator would lead to a meaningful result even if a group of measured values were above or substantially above a corresponding reference value. Thus, both an increased and a decreased FAS indicator can lead to the present FAS finding 30. Decisive, in particular, is the amount of the distance between the group of measured values and the reference value. This applies to all corresponding figures or associated embodiments.

[0051] As above, the first FAS indicator 11 comprises an α-MSH concentration in the sample matrix 10 and the second FAS indicator 12 comprises a concentration of a peptide hormone in the sample matrix 10. Accordingly, the first analyte corresponds to α-MSH and the second analyte to the peptide hormone.

[0052] According to FIG. 3, a positive first FAS indicator 11 can be assumed, since the expanded first group of measured values 11n+ is located in a range adjacent to the first reference value 40 and partly above this. Likewise, a positive second FAS indicator 12 can be assumed, since the expanded second group of measured values 12n+ is also located in a range adjacent to the second reference value 50 and partly above this. The FAS finding 30 is consequently also positive. That is to say, in this case a normal or substantially normal functioning or functionality of the anorexigenic signal path can be assumed. However, depending on the specification regarding the interpretation of the respective group of measured values 11n+, 12n+, the result represented in FIG. 3 could also be interpreted to the effect that the first FAS indicator 11 and the second FAS indicator 12 are in each case evaluated negatively, since an insufficient number of measured values 11n, 12n lie above the respective reference value 40, 50. As mentioned above, the overall consideration of the indicator spectrum according to predefined specifications is decisive.

[0053] In the fourth exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, a quantitative mean first deviation value 60 of the first group of measured values 11n+ from the predefined first reference value 40 and a quantitative mean second deviation value 70 of the second group of measured values 12n+ from the predefined second reference value 50 are determined, and the FAS finding 30 is generated as a function of the first deviation value 60 and the second deviation value 70. With regard to the first group of measured values 11n+, it can be seen that although it lies relatively close to the first reference value 40, it is not close enough. Therefore, a correspondingly negative value is determined for the first FAS indicator 11. The second group of measured values 12n+ is relatively far from the second reference value 50, for which reason the second FAS indicator is also evaluated negatively. This also results in a negative overall result in the sense of a corresponding FAS finding 30.

[0054] Three exemplary embodiments are now explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 in which a third FAS indicator 13, determined beforehand in the context of a big data analysis, which is different from the first FAS indicator 11 and from the second FAS indicator 12, is used to generate the FAS finding 30, wherein the third FAS indicator 13 is the BMI of the patient. According to the fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the third FAS indicator 13 is negative, while the first and the second FAS indicator 11, 12 are in each case positive. The FAS finding 30 is therefore also positive. According to the sixth embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the third FAS indicator 13 is negative, while the first FAS indicator 11 is positive and the second FAS indicator 12 is negative. Due to the predominantly negative FAS indicators, the FAS finding 30 is also negative. According to the seventh embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the third FAS indicator 13 is positive, while the first FAS indicator 11 is positive and the second FAS indicator 12 is negative. Due to the predominantly positive FAS indicators, the FAS finding 30 is also positive in this case. A negative third FAS indicator 13 can be understood to indicate that the patient has an increased or excessively high BMI. As already mentioned above, depending on the definition and interpretation, a negative third FAS indicator 13 can of course also mean exactly the opposite.

[0055] FIG. 8 shows an analysis device 100 for providing a FAS finding 30 for a patient, with a computer program product 90 installed therein. The computer program product 90 is stored on a storage means 80 and is configured and designed to carry out a method as described in detail above on a provided sample matrix 10. The analysis device also has a determination device for determining a first FAS indicator 11 from the sample matrix 10 and for determining a second FAS indicator 12 from the sample matrix 10, wherein the second FAS indicator 12 is different from the first FAS indicator 11. In addition, the analysis device has a generating device for generating the FAS finding 30 using the indicator spectrum 20 comprising the first FAS indicator 11 and the second FAS indicator 12.

[0056] In addition to the embodiments illustrated, the invention allows for further design principles. Thus, the blood sample can be provided as a liquid blood sample or as a dried blood sample. A whole blood sample, a plasma sample, a serum sample, a cerebrospinal fluid sample and/or a urine sample, in each case in liquid or dry form, can also be used as sample matrix 10. The first FAS indicator 11 can also comprise a CLIP concentration in the sample matrix 10. The second FAS indicator 12 or a plurality of second FAS indicators 12 may in each case comprise the concentration of different peptide hormones in the sample matrix 10. The first FAS indicator 11, the second FAS indicator 12 and/or the third FAS indicator 13 can be multiplied by a weighting factor, wherein the FAS finding 30 is generated as a function of the weighted FAS indicators 11, 12, 13. In general, the first FAS indicator 11 can also be understood as second FAS indicator 12 or third FAS indicator 13, and vice versa. Furthermore, a plurality of first, second and/or third FAS indicators 11, 12, 13 can in each case be determined. The third FAS indicator 13 may comprise features such as an anorexia of the patient, a grade II-III obesity syndrome of the patient, clinical symptoms of obesity in the patient, and/or a direct indication of a disorder in the functionality of the anorexigenic signal path, FAS, in the patient's genetic background.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0057] 10 sample matrix [0058] 11 first FAS indicator [0059] 11n first measured value [0060] 11n+ first group of measured values [0061] 12 second FAS indicator [0062] 12n second measured value [0063] 12n+ second group of measured values [0064] 13 third FAS indicator [0065] 20 indicator spectrum [0066] 30 FAS finding [0067] 40 first reference value [0068] 50 second reference value [0069] 60 mean first deviation value [0070] 70 mean second deviation value [0071] 80 storage means [0072] 90 computer program product