Diagnostic accuracy and certainty from sequential evaluations in peripheral neuropathy.
Three masked neuromuscular experts analyzed the contribution of the data from sequential evaluations in predicting specific varieties of peripheral neuropathy in 72 patients. The largest improvement (16%) in diagnostic accuracy resulted from presentation of neurologic history. By contrast, diagnostic confidence increased gradually with presentation of additional medical information. Therefore, the authors conclude that for diagnostic accuracy and certainty, expert neuromuscular judgment and extensive characterizing or discriminative testing are needed.
Suarez
G A
GA
Peripheral Neuropathy Research Center, Mayo Clinic and Mayo Foundation, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. suarez.guillermo@mayo.edu
Chalk
C H
CH
Russell
J W
JW
Kim
S M
SM
O'Brien
P C
PC
Dyck
P J
PJ
D015331:Cohort Studies; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D006801:Humans; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D015588:Observer Variation; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests