Table 3.
Value of the different diagnostic methods and combinations of these
| Statistical parameter | CRP [> 10 mg/L] | Aspiration | Histology | Bacteriologic examination | Biopsy | Diagnostic aspiration and biopsy | Total (Combination of CRP, aspiration, and biopsy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| True positives (number) | 29 | 29 | 28 | 33 | 37 | 39 | 38 |
| True negatives (number) | 41 | 53 | 55 | 54 | 54 | 54 | 48 |
| False positives (number) | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| False negatives (number) | 16 | 16 | 17 | 12 | 8 | 6 | 7 |
| Sensitivity (95% CI) |
64% ± 14% (50; 78) |
64% ± 14% (50; 78) |
62% ± 14% (48; 76) |
73% ± 13% (60; 86) |
82% ± 11% (71; 93) |
87% ± 10% (77; 97) |
84% ± 11% (74; 95) |
| Specificity (95% CI) |
75% ± 12% (63; 86) |
96% ± 5% (91; 100) |
100% ± 0% | 98% ± 4% (95; 100) |
98% ± 4% (95; 100) |
98% ± 4% (95; 100) |
87% ± 9% (78; 96) |
| Positive predictive value (95% CI) |
67% ± 14% (53; 81) |
94% ± 9% (85; 100) |
100% ± 0% | 97% ± 6% (91; 100) |
97% ± 5% (92; 100) |
98% ± 5% (93; 100) |
84% ± 11% (74; 95) |
| Negative predictive value (95% CI) |
72% ± 12% (60; 84) |
77% ± 10% (67; 87) |
76% ± 10% (66; 86) |
82% ± 9% (73; 91) |
87% ± 8% (79; 95) |
90% ± 8% (82; 98) |
87% ± 9% (78; 96) |
| Accuracy | 70% | 82% | 83% | 87% | 91% | 93% | 86% |
CRP = C-reactive protein.