scholarly journals Factors affecting sensitivity and specificity of head-turning sign in the studies

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1571-1572 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinar Soysal ◽  
Ahmet Turan Isik

We read with interest the comment by Williamson and Larner on our recent study titled “Attended With and Head-Turning Sign can be clinical markers of cognitive impairment in older adults” (Soysal et al., 2017). After the authors read the study, they re-examined their data according to the presence of Attended With (AW) and Head-Turning Sign (HTS), and compared their results with ours (Larner, 2014). Then, they found that while the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of AW in detecting cognitive impairment were similar to ours, HTS had lower sensitivity (80.95% vs. 65.0%) and higher specificity (64.7% vs. 95.0%) than our results (Larner, 2014; Soysal et al., 2017). We think that some methodological and cultural differences may explain these discrepancies between the two.

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 1763-1769 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pinar Soysal ◽  
Cansu Usarel ◽  
Gul Ispirli ◽  
Ahmet Turan Isik

ABSTRACTBackground:Comprehensive neurocognitive assessment may not be performed in clinical practice, as it takes too much time and requires special training. Development of easily applicable, time-saving, and cost effective screening methods has allowed identifying the individuals that require further evaluation. The aim of present study was to assess the diagnostic value of the Attended With (AW) and Head-Turning Sign (HTS) for screening cognitive impairment (CI).Methods:Comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed in 529 elderly outpatients, and the presence or absence of AW and HTS was investigated in them all.Results:Of the 529 patients, of whom the mean age was 75.67 ± 8.29 years, 126 patients were considered as CI (102 dementia, 24 mild CI). The patients with positive AW had significantly lower scores on Mini-Mental State Examination, Cognitive State Test, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and activities of daily living compared to AW (−) patients (p < 0.001). Similar significant findings were obtained in the patients with positive and negative HTS (p < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of AW in detecting CI were 92%, 37%, 31.4%, and 93.7%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of HTS were 80%, 64%, 41.8%, and 91.5%, respectively. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve was 0.90 for AW and 0.82 for HTS.Conclusion:AW and HTS are fast, simple, effective, and sensitive methods for detecting CI. Therefore, they can be used for older adults attending the primary care settings with memory loss. Those with positive AW or HTS can be referred to the relevant centers for detailed cognitive assessment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 1569-1569 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. C. Williamson ◽  
A. J. Larner

We read the paper by Soysal et al. (2017) with interest as we have experience of both the Attended With (AW) and the Head-Turning Sign (HTS) in a neurology-led cognitive disorders clinic.


2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zita Bouman ◽  
Marc P. H. Hendriks ◽  
Albert P. Aldenkamp ◽  
Roy P. C. Kessels

ABSTRACTBackground:The Brief Cognitive Status Exam (BCSE) is a new, optional subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-IV (WMS-IV) developed for rapid detection of cognitive deficits. We examined the clinical validation of the Dutch version of the BCSE in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia, comparing it to the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).Method:BCSE and MMSE were administered in 39 older adults with MCI, 51 with dementia and 96 matched healthy controls.Results:Our results show that the BCSE is a valid screening instrument, with psychometric properties similar to the widely used MMSE. High correlations were found between the BCSE and MMSE (r = 0.79, n = 183, p < 0.001). Furthermore, a BCSE cut-off score ≤ 42 revealed a sensitivity of 96% a specificity of 92%, a positive predictive value of 86% and a negative predictive value of 97%, whereas the MMSE cut-off score of ≤ 24 showed values of 84%, 96%, 91%, and 92%, respectively. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values to detect MCI compared to controls was 81%, 80%, 61%, and 92%, respectively, on the BCSE, with a cut-off score of ≤ 46, and 84%, 76%, 57%, and 92%, respectively, on the MMSE, with a cut-off score of ≤ 27.Conclusions:The Dutch version of the BCSE is a clinically valid screening instrument for the detection of cognitive impairment in patients with dementia. Nevertheless, for distinguishing older adults with MCI from healthy controls both the BCSE and MMSE have limitations.


Medicina ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (5) ◽  
pp. 503
Author(s):  
Thomas F. Monaghan ◽  
Syed N. Rahman ◽  
Christina W. Agudelo ◽  
Alan J. Wein ◽  
Jason M. Lazar ◽  
...  

Sensitivity, which denotes the proportion of subjects correctly given a positive assignment out of all subjects who are actually positive for the outcome, indicates how well a test can classify subjects who truly have the outcome of interest. Specificity, which denotes the proportion of subjects correctly given a negative assignment out of all subjects who are actually negative for the outcome, indicates how well a test can classify subjects who truly do not have the outcome of interest. Positive predictive value reflects the proportion of subjects with a positive test result who truly have the outcome of interest. Negative predictive value reflects the proportion of subjects with a negative test result who truly do not have the outcome of interest. Sensitivity and specificity are inversely related, wherein one increases as the other decreases, but are generally considered stable for a given test, whereas positive and negative predictive values do inherently vary with pre-test probability (e.g., changes in population disease prevalence). This article will further detail the concepts of sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values using a recent real-world example from the medical literature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (s1) ◽  
pp. 38-38
Author(s):  
Safa Kaleem ◽  
Christa B. Swisher

OBJECTIVES/SPECIFIC AIMS: 1. Determine positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity of Neuro ICU nurse interpretation of real-time bedside qEEG. 2. Determine difference in time to detection of first seizure between Neuro ICU nurse qEEG interpretation and EEG fellow reads of cEEG. 3. Determine what qualities of seizures make detection by neuro ICU nurses more or less likely – e.g. duration of seizures, type of seizures, spatial extent of seizures. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: Recruit neuro ICU nurses taking care of 150 patients admitted to the Neuro ICU at Duke University Hospital who are initiated on cEEG monitoring. Nurses will be consented for their participation in the study. Neuro ICU nurses will evaluate the qEE RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: From literature estimates of a 20% seizure prevalence in critical care settings, we hope to have 30 patients with seizures and 120 without. Based on prior study in the Duke Neuro ICU, we hypothesize that Neuro ICU nurses will have sensitivity and DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: This is the first prospective study of neuro ICU nurse interpretation of real-time bedside qEEG in patients with unknown NCSE/NCS presence. If nurse sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value are clinically useful, which we deem would be so at a sensitivity of 70% or greater, with acceptable false alarm rate, nurse readings of qEEG could significantly decrease the time to treatment of seizures in the Neuro ICU patient population, and perhaps could improve patient outcomes.


Author(s):  
Dagmar Lagerberg ◽  
Margaretha Magnusson ◽  
Claes Sundelin

Abstract Background: The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is widely used in early child health care. This study examined the appropriateness of the recommended EPDS cut-off score 11/12. Methods: Two main analyses were performed: 1. Associations between EPDS scores and maternal health behaviour, stress, life events, perceived mother-child interaction quality and child behaviour. 2. Screening parameters of the EPDS, i.e., sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value. EPDS scores were available for 438 mothers and maternal questionnaires for 361 mothers. Results: Already in the EPDS score intervals 6–8 and 9–11, there were notable adversities, according to maternal questionnaires, in stress, perceived quality of mother-child interaction, perceived child difficultness and child problem behaviours. Using maternal questionnaire reports about sadness/distress postpartum as standard, the recommended EPDS cut-off score 11/12 resulted in a very low sensitivity (24%). The cut-off score 6/7 yielded a sensitivity of 61%, a specificity of 82% and a positive predictive value of 61%. Conclusions: In terms of both clinical relevance and screening qualities, an EPDS cut-off score lower than 11/12 seems recommendable.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
Sujan Shrestha ◽  
Mamen Prasad Gorhaly ◽  
Manil Ratna Bajracharya

Background Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is a significant independent risk factor for diabetic foot, and an effective screening instrument is required to diagnose DPN early to prevent future ulceration and amputation. This study aims to determine the diagnostic accuracy of monofilament test to detect diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in National Academy of Medical Sciences, Bir hospital, Mahabouddha, Kathmandu from February 2016 to January 2017. A total of 96 diabetic patients attending inpatient and outpatient Department were selected. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy was assessed by measurement of loss of protective sensation (LOPS) by monofilament test and compared with vibration perception threshold by standard biothesiometer. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of monofilament test were calculated. Results The prevalence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was 26%. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of monofilament test were found to be 92.0%, 95.8%, 88.5% and 97.1% respectively. There was strong association between LOPS by monofilament and vibration perception threshold by biothesiometer. Conclusion This study showed a strong diagnostic accuracy of monofilament test to detect DPN when compared with biothesiometer. As monofilament test is a cheap, easily available, and portable, it can be used in the periphery where biothesiometer is not available.  


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tahir Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Usman Shahid ◽  
Ishfaq Ahmad Shad ◽  
Shahzad Karim Bhatti ◽  
Syed Amir Gilani ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: A common surgical emergency is acute appendicitis. Various diagnostic tools are available to diagnosis acute appendicitis. Radiological investigations play an important role in making accurate and early diagnosis and thus preventing morbidity associated with the disease. OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of gray scale ultrasonography versus color Doppler in suspected cases of acute appendicitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried in the department of Radiology of Mayo Hospital, Lahore. A total of 75 patients were enrolled of age 18-40 years, both genders who were suspected cases of acute appendicitis. All patients underwent baseline investigations along with gray scale ultrasonography and color Doppler. All patients were subjected to surgery to confirm the diagnosis and findings were subjected to statistical analysis. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 23.25 ±10.55 and mean transverse diameter of appendix was 8.37 ±3.39. There were 62.7% males and 37.3%females. Findings of gray scale ultrasonography and color Doppler were then correlated with surgical findings to calculate the diagnostic accuracy of these modalities. The results revealed that gray scale ultrasonography sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy was 92.7%, 94.32%, 95%, 91.4% and 93.3% respectively, whereas color Doppler had sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of 97.7%, 93.9%, 95.3%, 97% and 96% respectively. Diagnostic accuracy of both modalities together was 98.6%. CONCLUSION: Color Doppler has better diagnostic accuracy than gray scale ultrasonography for diagnosis of acute appendicitis and the combination of both modalities yields diagnostic accuracy that is similar to gold standard.


2014 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-32 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vilson Lacerda Brasileiro Junior ◽  
Aníbal Henrique Barbosa Luna ◽  
Marcelo Augusto Oliveira de Sales ◽  
Tânia Lemos Coelho Rodrigues ◽  
Priscilla Lopes da Fonseca Abrantes Sarmento ◽  
...  

Objective The present study evaluated the reliability of digital panoramic radiography in the diagnosis of carotid artery calcifications. Materials and Methods Thirty-five patients under high-risk for development of carotid artery calcifications who had digital panoramic radiography were referred to undergo ultrasonography. Thus, 70 arteries were assessed by both methods. The main parameters utilized to evaluate the panoramic radiography reliability in the diagnosis of carotid artery calcifications were accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of this method as compared with ultrasonography. Additionally, the McNemar's test was utilized to verify whether there was a statistically significant difference between digital panoramic radiography and ultrasonography. Results Ultrasonography demonstrated carotid artery calcifications in 17 (48.57%) patients. Such individuals presented with a total of 29 (41.43%) carotid arteries affected by calcification. Radiography was accurate in 71.43% (n = 50) of cases evaluated. The degree of sensitivity of this method was 37.93%, specificity of 95.12% and positive predictive value of 84.61%. A statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) was observed between the methods evaluated in their capacity to diagnose carotid artery calcifications. Conclusion Digital panoramic radiography should not be indicated as a method of choice in the investigation of carotid artery calcifications.


2012 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 51 ◽  
Author(s):  
Krystal A.T. Gayle ◽  
Marshall K. Tulloch-Reid ◽  
Rainford J. Wilks ◽  
Trevor S. Ferguson

This study evaluated the ability of the slipping slipper sign (defined as unknowingly losing a slipper while walking) to identify diabetic neuropathy in Jamaican patients. A single question was used to ascertain the presence of the slipping slipper sign (SSS) among 69 patients attending a diabetes clinic. Nurses assessed pain, vibration and pressure perception among the same patients in order to detect diabetic neuropathy. The sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value for the SSS were calculated. Eight participants (men=5, women=3) reported positive SSS. The SSS had a sensitivity of 28.6%, specificity of 100% and positive predictive value (PPV) 100% for neuropathy on at least one of the three tests. These findings indicate that the SSS has high specificity and PPV for diabetic neuropathy but the sensitivity is low. The sign may be a useful adjuvant to conventional methods of screening for severe neuropathy


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