[Validation of Allen's scale for the diagnosis of stroke].
BACKGROUND
The importance of cerebrovascular pathology demands the most exact and complete diagnosis possible, by general physical and neurological examination and complementary techniques including computerized tomography (CT). Without CT, diagnosis may be delayed, for which reason such authors as Allen have put forward scales which by means of diagnostic scoring distinguish between stroke types.


OBJECTIVE
To validate the Allen scale as opposed to CT scan in a series of patients suffering from haemorrhagic and ischaemic stroke.


METHODS
Sixty-two consecutive hospitalized patients suffering from stroke were studied, who all underwent CT scan within fifteen days of admission.


RESULTS
The group consisted of 62 patients, 33 males (53%) and 29 females (47%) having an average of 70.2 +/- 11.2 years. The most frequent type of stroke was ischaemic (63%) as opposed to haemorrhagic (37%). Globally for all strokes we obtained the following results: Sensitivity (S) = 61%, Specificity (Sp) = 40%, positive predictive value ( + PV) = 84% and negative predictive value (-PV) = 17%. For ischaemic stroke the results were as follows: S = 76%, Sp = 66%; +PV = 67% and -PV = 76%. Finally for haemorrhagic stroke the results were S = 43%; Sp = 100%; +PV = 100% and -PV = 75%.


CONCLUSIONS
The Allen scale has not proved to be a valid instrument in stroke diagnosis due to its low sensitivity and specificity especially in cases of haemorrhagic stroke.
Valiente
E
E
Departamento. de Medicina y Psiquiatria, Facultad de Medicina, San Juan, Alicante.
Martín
R
R
Gracia
F
F
Muñiz
R
R
Asensio
M
M
Matías-Guiu
J
J
D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012737:Sex Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Validación de la escala de Allen para el diagnóstico del accidente vascular cerebral.