[Assessment of a postural reference frame as a diagnostic test for lumbar lordotic posture].
BACKGROUND
Studying lumbar lordosis (LL) in large patient populations is not a practical approach due to the technical limitations of the gold standard.


OBJECTIVE
Determine the specificity of a postural reference frame (PRF) in the diagnosis of LL.


METHODS
A PRF (wooden frame using strings as a reference for measuring the distance between lumbar curvature and the glutei) was used as a diagnostic test to asses LL. The Ferguson angle, a radiologic evaluation, was used as gold standard. Specificity, sensitivity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of the PRF were determined.


RESULTS
One hundred and ten subjects were studied (58 women, 52 men). Mean age was 18.8 +/- 3 years, weight 63 +/- 12 kg, height 164 +/- 8 cm and body mass index (BMI) 23.2 +/- 4 kg/m2. With a cut-off point 37 cm, test specificity was 94%, sensitiivity was 17%, PPV was 50%, and NPV was 75%.


CONCLUSIONS
The postural reference frame as an assessment tool is highly specific and can aid in the diagnosis of LL among young asymptomatic patients.
Olmedo-Buenrostro
Bertha Alicia
BA
Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Colima, México.
Enrique-Tene
Carlos
C
Díaz-Giner
Vicente
V
Trujillo-Hernández
Benjamín
B
Millán-Guerrero
Rebeca O
RO
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008141:Lordosis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008297:Male; D011187:Posture; D012015:Reference Standards; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity