What is it about?
Latent class analysis is a powerful statistical method that is used when there is no reference standard for a diagnostic test. It identifies unobserved (or latent) associations of risk factors that estimate the probability of disease.
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Why is it important?
This study demonstrates that US and CTS-6 may be better diagnostic tests than EMG/NCS for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Perspectives
As there continues to be added pressure on physicians to practice medicine in a cost-effective manner, ultrasound will continue to see increased utilization. Point of care ultrasound by hand surgeons is a cost-effective, accurate, and efficient test for confirmation of a clinical diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Many argue that no further diagnostic testing is necessary in most cases of carpal tunnel syndrome and I agree. However, ultrasound offers an objective measurement that can be followed after intervention.
Dr John R Fowler
University of Pittsburgh
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A Comparison of Three Diagnostic Tests for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Latent Class Analysis, Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, December 2015, The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Inc.,
DOI: 10.2106/jbjs.o.00476.
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