Articles: sensitivity-specificity.
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Review Meta Analysis
Systematic review of patient history and physical examination to diagnose chronic low back pain originating from the facet joints.
Patient history and physical examination are frequently used procedures to diagnose chronic low back pain (CLBP) originating from the facet joints, although the diagnostic accuracy is controversial. The aim of this systematic review is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of patient history and/or physical examination to identify CLBP originating from the facet joints using diagnostic blocks as reference standard. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and the Cochrane Collaboration database from inception until June 2016. ⋯ Due to clinical heterogeneity, the evidence for the diagnostic accuracy of patient history and/or physical examination to identify facet joint pain is inconclusive. Patient history and physical examination cannot be used to limit the need of a diagnostic block. The validity of the diagnostic facet joint block should be studied, and high quality studies are required to confirm the results of single studies.
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Review Meta Analysis
Diagnostic Accuracy of Intraoperative Techniques for Margin Assessment in Breast Cancer Surgery: A Meta-analysis.
The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to clarify the diagnostic accuracy of intraoperative breast margin assessment (IMA) techniques against which the performance of emerging IMA technologies may be compared. ⋯ Pooled data suggest that frozen section and cytology have the greatest diagnostic accuracy. However, these methods are resource intensive and turnaround times for results have prevented widespread international adoption. Emerging technologies need to compete with the diagnostic accuracy of existing techniques while offering advantages in terms of speed, cost, and reliability.
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Review Meta Analysis
Accuracy of lung ultrasound in the diagnosis of pneumonia in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Some studies suggest that lung ultrasonography could be useful for diagnosing pneumonia; moreover, it has a more favorable safety profile and lower cost than chest radiography and CT. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of bedside lung ultrasonography for diagnosing pneumonia in adults through a systematic review and meta-analysis. ⋯ Lung ultrasonography can help accurately diagnose pneumonia, and it may be promising as an adjuvant resource to traditional approaches.
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Review Meta Analysis
Screening for Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults: Evidence Report and Systematic Review for the US Preventive Services Task Force.
Many adverse health outcomes are associated with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). ⋯ There is uncertainty about the accuracy or clinical utility of all potential screening tools. Multiple treatments for OSA reduce AHI, ESS scores, and blood pressure. Trials of CPAP and other treatments have not established whether treatment reduces mortality or improves most other health outcomes, except for modest improvement in sleep-related quality of life.
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Genital herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is a prevalent sexually transmitted infection. Vertical transmission of HSV can lead to fetal morbidity and mortality. ⋯ Serologic screening for genital herpes is associated with a high rate of false-positive test results and potential psychosocial harms. Evidence from RCTs does not establish whether preventive antiviral medication for asymptomatic HSV-2 infection has benefit.