title: Chest X-rays in hypersensitivity pneumonitis: a metaanalysis of secular trend.
abstract: A metaanalysis of published reports of outbreaks of hypersensitivity pneumonitis was undertaken. A statistically significant substantial decline was seen in the sensitivity of chest X-rays (percent of positive in cases of disease) for the diagnosis of hypersensitivity pneumonitis over the years 1950-1980. Chest X-rays were also less likely to be abnormal where a population-based approach to the diagnosis of disease had been undertaken. Such declines in the diagnostic "sensitivity" of a test may be related to secular trends in knowledge and recognition of disease or to changes in the disease itself. Standardization of chest X-ray interpretation alone, even if successful, may not resolve the issue of accurate diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Hodgson
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Parkinson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karpf
mesh_terms: D000542:Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005355:Fibrosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000592:standards*