title: Sensitivity and specificity of eustachian tube function tests in adults.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study demonstrates the utility of eustachian tube (ET) function (ETF) test results for accurately assigning ears to disease state.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine if ETF tests can identify ears with physician-diagnosed ET dysfunction (ETD) in a mixed population at high sensitivity and specificity and to define the interrelatedness of ETF test parameters.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through use of the forced-response, inflation-deflation, Valsalva, and sniffing tests, ETF was evaluated in 15 control ears of adult subjects after unilateral myringotomy (group 1) and in 23 ears of 19 adult subjects with ventilation tubes inserted for ETD (group 2). Data were analyzed using logistic regression including each parameter independently and then a step-down discriminant analysis including all ETF test parameters to predict group assignment. Factor analysis operating over all parameters was used to explore relatedness.
  
  
  METHODS
  ETF testing.
  
  
  METHODS
  ETF parameters for the forced response, inflation-deflation, Valsalva, and sniffing tests measured in 15 control ears of adult subjects after unilateral myringotomy (group 1) and in 23 ears of 19 adult subjects with ventilation tubes inserted for ETD (group 2).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The discriminant analysis identified 4 ETF test parameters (Valsalva, ET opening pressure, dilatory efficiency, and percentage of positive pressure equilibrated) that together correctly assigned ears to group 2 at a sensitivity of 95% and a specificity of 83%. Individual parameters representing the efficiency of ET opening during swallowing showed moderately accurate assignments of ears to their respective groups. Three factors captured approximately 98% of the variance among parameters: the first had negative loadings of the ETF structural parameters; the second had positive loadings of the muscle-assisted ET opening parameters; and the third had negative loadings of the muscle-assisted ET opening parameters and positive loadings of the structural parameters.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results show that ETF tests can correctly assign individual ears to physician-diagnosed ETD with high sensitivity and specificity and that ETF test parameters can be grouped into structural-functional categories.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. docdoyle2@aol.com
authors.forename: William J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: J Douglas
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Swarts
authors.forename: Julianne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Banks
authors.forename: Margaretha L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Casselbrant
authors.forename: Ellen M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Mandel
authors.forename: Cuneyt M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Alper
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016002:Discriminant Analysis; D004427:Ear Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D005064:Eustachian Tube / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008876:Middle Ear Ventilation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity