Miniature hygrometric hot flash recorder.
OBJECTIVE
To design and test a miniature ambulatory hot flash recorder that uses neither electrodes nor gel.


METHODS
In the first study, putative hot flashes recorded by using a relative humidity sensor were compared with patient event marks. In the second study, relative humidity recorded by using a complete prototype recorder was compared with sternal skin conductance recordings made on a Biolog recorder, as well as with event marks.


METHODS
University medical center.


METHODS
Ten healthy postmenopausal women reporting frequent hot flashes and using no medication.


METHODS
Body heating in laboratory.


METHODS
Positive predictive value (PPV), sensitivity, specificity.


RESULTS
In both laboratory studies, the PPV, sensitivity, and specificity among all three measures (relative humidity, skin conductance level, event) were 100%. In the field, a relative humidity increase of 3% per minute compared with skin conductance level-detected hot flashes yielded a PPV of 95.6%, a specificity of 95.2%, and a sensitivity of 90.9%.


CONCLUSIONS
This device should be useful as an endpoint in clinical trials of treatments for hot flashes.
Freedman
Robert R
RR
Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA. aa2613@wayne.edu <aa2613@wayne.edu>
Wasson
Samuel
S
D001831:Body Temperature; D004864:Equipment and Supplies; D005260:Female; D005712:Galvanic Skin Response; D019584:Hot Flashes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D008904:Miniaturization; D018670:Monitoring, Ambulatory; D017698:Postmenopause; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012682:Sensory Aids