Poor sensitivity of musculoskeletal history in children.
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Authors
Bateman, Belinda
Issue Date
2011
Type
Article
Language
en
Keywords
musculoskeletal health , medical history
Alternative Title
Abstract
Objectives: To demonstrate the sensitivity of musculoskeletal (MSK) history taking.
Design: Prospective study: consecutive children attending outpatient clinics.
Setting and patients: Paediatric rheumatology clinic (n=45; girls n=28; median age 12 years, range 3-18), acute general paediatric assessment unit (n=50; girls n=21; median age 8 years, range 3-16).
Intervention: Pro forma recording abnormal joint involvement from history taking and then following MSK examination completed by clinicians.
Main outcome measures: Sensitivity of MSK history taking compared with clinical examination.
Results: Paediatric rheumatology clinic: 135 abnormal joints identified in 34 children; 53/135 (39%) by history alone, 82/135 (61%) detected on examination resulting in MSK history sensitivity 53%, specificity 98%. Acute paediatric unit: 29 abnormal joints identified in 17 children; 18/29 identified on history (sensitivity 62%).
Conclusions: MSK history taking failed to identify a large number of abnormal joints which were detected on physical examination, emphasising the need for all joints to be examined as part of a screening examination as a minimum.
Description
Citation
Goff, I., Rowan, A,. Bateman, B. and Foster, H. (2011) Poor sensitivity of musculoskeletal history in children. Archives of Disease in Childhood;�97�(7) : 644-6.
Publisher
License
Journal
Archives of Disease in Childhood
Volume
Issue
ISSN
1468-2044