Table 5.
Pooled estimation of LR for symptoms and signs of pheochromocytoma
| Sign/symptom | Number of studies | LR+ (95%CI) | LR- (95%CI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palpitation | 2 | 1.888 (1.161–3.073) | 0.518 (0.333–0.806) |
| Diaphoresis | 2 | 2.184 (1.411–3.382) | 0.451(0.310–0.657) |
| Classic triada | 2 | 6.312 (0.217–183.217) | 0.139 (0.059–0.331) |
| Hypertension | 5 | 0.762 (0.562–1.033) | 1.682 (1.093–2.589) fixed effect |
| Weakness/fatigue | 2 | 1.123 (0.658–1.919) | 0.964 (0.772–1.205) |
| Anxiety | 2 | 1.127 (0.500–2.541) | 0.933 (0.635–1.369) |
| Headache | 2 | 1.607 (1.124–2.297) | 0.240 (0.094–0.613) |
| Flushing | 2 | 0.283 (0.058–1.391) | 1.466 (0.754–2.850) |
| Spells | 1b | 0.93 | 1.16 |
| Pallor | 1 | 4.667 | 0.718 |
| Diarrhea | 1 | 0.311 | 1.188 |
| Constipation | 1 | 0.156 | 1.230 |
| Dizziness | 1 | 0.431 | 1.493 |
| Paresthesia | 1 | 1.867 | 0.933 |
| Tremor | 1 | 0.560 | 1.096 |
| Orthostatic hypotensionc | 1 | 1.885 | 0.792 |
aIn all but classic triad, the control group was highly suspected but ruled out pheochromocytoma. In the classic triad, the control groups were patients with hypertension
bThese symptoms were evaluated in Stein’s article [16]
cThe definition of orthostatic hypotension in Plouin study was falling SBP >10 mmHg, and the control group was patients with essential hypertension