Skip Navigation

This Article
Right arrow Full Text Freely available
Right arrow FREE Full Text (PDF) Freely available
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in ISI Web of Science
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow Search for citing articles in:
ISI Web of Science (4)
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Right arrow Disclaimer
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by O'Gradaigh, D.
Right arrow Articles by Merry, P.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by O'Gradaigh, D.
Right arrow Articles by Merry, P.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Rheumatology 2000; 39: 1040-1041
© 2000 British Society for Rheumatology

A diagnostic algorithm for carpal tunnel syndrome based on Bayes's theorem

D. O'Gradaigh and P. Merry

Department of Rheumatology, Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, Brunswick Road, Norwich NR1 3SR, UK

Objective. To construct a diagnostic algorithm based on Bayes's theorem and using simple clinical tests to allow accurate diagnosis without resort to nerve conduction studies.

Method. A cohort of patients being referred with possible carpal tunnel syndrome had clinical and electrophysiological testing, from which the simple calculations for sensitivity, specificity and prevalence were made and subsequently used in the formula of Bayes's theorem. The algorithm was then tested prospectively in a further cohort of similarly referred patients.

Results. The algorithm proved to be reliable when tested prospectively, and was similar to nerve conduction studies in diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusion. A simple algorithm of clinical tests can identify patients without resort to nerve conduction studies, facilitating early treatment.

Correspondence to: D. O'Gradaigh, Department of Rheumatology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, UK.


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 NeurologyHome page
H. Nodera, D.N. Herrmann, R.G. Holloway, and E.L. Logigian
A Bayesian argument against rigid cut-offs in electrodiagnosis of median neuropathy at the wrist
Neurology, February 11, 2003; 60(3): 458 - 464.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Rheumatology (Oxford)Home page
B. Pal, D. O'Gradaigh, and P. Merry
Diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome
Rheumatology, May 1, 2001; 40(5): 595 - 597.
[Full Text] [PDF]


Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.