title: The diagnostic accuracy of self-report for determining S4-5 sensory and motor function in people with spinal cord injury.
abstract: METHODS
  A diagnostic accuracy study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective was to determine the ability of people with SCI to accurately self-report S4-5 sensory and motor function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient clinic, Sydney, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A consecutive series of thirty-four people who had sustained a SCI more than 1 year before the study, and who were attending an outpatient medical clinic were recruited. They were assessed on two occasions. On the first occasion, ability to self-report S4-5 sensory and motor function was assessed with four questions. On the second occasion, a rehabilitation physician performed a physical examination to determine participants' S4-5 sensory and motor function. The rehabilitation physician was unaware of the results of participants' self-report. Participants' self-reports were compared with results from the physical examination using likelihood ratios.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The likelihood ratios (95% CI) associated with a positive response to the sensory and motor questions were 1.92 (1.0-3.6) and 2.4 (1.2-4.9), respectively. The likelihood ratios associated with a negative response to the sensory and motor questions were 0.1 (0.0-0.6) and 0.4 (0.1-1.2), respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  People with SCI are reasonably accurate at self-reporting S4-5 sensory and motor function, although there is a high rate of false positives for S4-5 motor in those with motor levels below T10. In some situations it may be appropriate to use self-report rather than a physical examination to determine S4-5 sensory and motor function.
authors: Rehabilitation Studies Unit, Northern Clinical School, Sydney School of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. l.harvey@usyd.edu.au
authors: L A
authors: LA
authors: Harvey
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Weber
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Heriseanu
authors: J L
authors: JL
authors: Bowden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity; D057566:Self Report; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D016896:Treatment Outcome