Markerstatus

Markerstatus is a term used in genetics, molecular diagnostics, and related data-management contexts to describe the interpretive state of a genetic or molecular marker within a sample. It functions as a reporting label that accompanies marker-associated results in laboratory reports, data feeds, and information systems. The concept supports consistent communication of whether a marker has been observed, whether a test was successful, and how the result should be interpreted for decision-making or research.

Common markerstatus values include Detected, Not Detected, Indeterminate or Inconclusive, Pending, and Failed or Not Evaluated. In clinical genetics, the status may be paired with additional information such as zygosity (e.g., homozygous, heterozygous) or quantitative metrics, depending on the marker type (SNPs, CNVs, microsatellites, or gene-expression markers). The status helps clinicians, researchers, and laboratory staff quickly assess the reliability and clinical relevance of a result.

Implementation and standards vary by institution, but markerstatus is typically represented as a coded attribute within laboratory information systems, electronic health records, or public databases. Codes are often aligned with controlled vocabularies or standards such as LOINC, SNOMED CT, or local data models, and may include accompanying quality metrics or reference ranges.

Limitations and best practices include ensuring clear definitions for each status, including accompanying qualifiers (e.g., confidence scores, assay method, and QC metrics), and avoiding ambiguity when markers fail or yield borderline results. Harmonization of terminology across platforms improves data interoperability and clinical utility. See also: biomarker, genetic marker, assay.