Content Sources

Where the Methods Come From

Every calculator on MedCalcHub implements a specific, published clinical formula or scoring system. Each calculator's page displays the original sources it is based on. The Evidence & References block shows the evidence source (for example "KDIGO", "NICE CG174", or "Original derivation (peer-reviewed)") together with a content-update date at month precision where one is recorded. The References list then gives the full citations.

Examples of the full citations shown on individual calculators:

• CKD-EPI 2021 — "Inker LA, Eneanya ND, Coresh J, et al. New Creatinine- and Cystatin C–Based Equations to Estimate GFR without Race. N Engl J Med. 2021;385(19):1737-1749."
• CURB-65 — "Lim WS, van der Eerden MM, Laing R, et al. Defining community acquired pneumonia severity on presentation to hospital: an international derivation and validation study. Thorax. 2003;58(5):377-382."
• Glasgow Coma Scale — "Teasdale G, Jennett B. Assessment of coma and impaired consciousness: a practical scale. Lancet. 1974;304(7872):81-84."
• Apgar Score — "Apgar V. A proposal for a new method of evaluation of the newborn infant. Curr Res Anesth Analg. 1953;32(4):260-267."
• ABCD² — "Johnston SC, Rothwell PM, Nguyen-Huynh MN, et al. Validation and refinement of scores to predict very early stroke risk after transient ischaemic attack. Lancet. 2007;369(9558):283-292."

How Calculations Are Represented

Each calculation is defined as structured data in the MedCalcHub source repository: the input fields, the applied formula, normal or reference ranges, clinical notes, and the reference list. The computation is ordinary arithmetic applied to the values a user enters. No calculator uses machine-learning inference or black-box models; every formula can be inspected in the public repository and checked against the cited publication.

Around the calculation itself, each calculator page renders entered-clinical content such as clinical purpose, how to use it, an explanation of the formula and its variables, an interpretation guide, common mistakes, worked examples, limitations, and FAQs.

How Content Is Maintained

Calculator definitions and supporting content are maintained as source files and are built into the site at build time. They are not entered per request. Every change goes through the project's version control and is reflected in the calculator's reference list and update metadata.

Automated tests in the repository enforce structural requirements: every one of the 142 calculators with evidence content and all 143 calculators overall must expose a formula explanation and variable definitions; each must carry at least three calculator-specific common mistakes, at least one FAQ entry, a clinical purpose, and a disclaimer; reference and evidence formats must be consistent; and no calculator may claim a review that has not been recorded.

These automated tests verify internal consistency, completeness, and structure. They are not a substitute for clinical validation and do not constitute human clinical review.

Human Review Status

As of the date of this page, no calculator in the library carries a completed human review record. No named clinical reviewer has signed off on any calculator or its supporting content, and nothing on MedCalcHub claims otherwise. Evidence blocks display content update dates where recorded, but they never name a reviewer.

The site can render a review section when a genuine human review is completed and recorded, but none exists today. This page will be updated to state it plainly if and when human review status changes. Until then, treat all calculator content as pending human review and verify against the cited primary sources.

Correcting Content

If you find an error in a formula, an interpretation range, a clinical reference, or a FAQ, please report it through the Contact page or the project's public GitHub issue tracker. While we aim to respond in a timely manner, response times may vary. For urgent clinical safety concerns, please also contact the relevant medical device regulatory authority in your jurisdiction.