A further critical evaluation of requests for electrodiagnostic examinations

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of electrophysiological (EDX) tests in the clinical management and diagnosis of patients, and the appropriateness of the referral diagnosis. A study was carried out in three electrodiagnostic services in the Torino area, over a 12-month period. In our...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurological sciences 2006-02, Vol.26 (6), p.419-422
Main Authors: Cocito, D, Tavella, A, Ciaramitaro, P, Costa, P, Poglio, F, Paolasso, I, Duranda, E, Cossa, F M, Bergamasco, B
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Child
Diagnosis
Electric Stimulation - methods
Electrodiagnosis
Electromyography
Electromyography - methods
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Nerve conduction
Neural Conduction - physiology
Neurology
Neurosciences
Patients
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - diagnosis
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology
Polyneuropathy
Referral and Consultation - standards
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Summary:The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of electrophysiological (EDX) tests in the clinical management and diagnosis of patients, and the appropriateness of the referral diagnosis. A study was carried out in three electrodiagnostic services in the Torino area, over a 12-month period. In our study 3,900 individuals (2,340 females, 1,560 males) were evaluated. Patients underwent EDX examinations including nerve conduction study, electromyography and repetitive stimulation test. Most patients had been sent for EDX tests by specialists. Specialists suspected mainly polyneuropathy, whilst general practitioners suspected mainly carpal tunnel syndrome. Seventy-two percent of the requests were correctly formulated, 55% by general practitioners and 77% by specialists. There was a concordance between the results of the EDX tests and diagnostic hypothesis 40% of the time. This study confirms the usefulness and diagnostic impact of EDX examinations and evidences the amount of time and resources wasted as a result of incorrect or incomplete requests.
ISSN:1590-1874
1590-3478
DOI:10.1007/s10072-006-0525-y