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. 2016 Apr;45(5):556–563. doi: 10.1016/j.semarthrit.2015.10.004

Table 2.

Sensitivity and specificity of clinical assessments of knee effusion

References Sample Sample size Assessment % Sensitivity % Specificity
D׳Agostino et al. [11] OA 600 aSwelling (4-point scale) vs. US (moderate-important vs absent-minimal) 42.5 72.5
Esen et al. [21] OA 100 Inspection (suprapatellar swelling) vs. US 32.7 88. 9
Ballottement vs. US 18.2 93.3
Hauzeur et al. [18] OA/IA 50 (82 knees) Inspection (with other tests) vs. US Moderate effusion: 79 Moderate effusion: 25
Large effusion: 100 Large effusion: 78
Ulasli et al. [20] OA 86 (172 knees) Bulge sign, ballottement, patellar tap vs. US Junior resident: 82.7 Junior resident: 35.3
Senior resident: 85.7 Senior resident: 47.2

Abbreviations: OA, osteoarthritis; IA, inflammatory arthritis; US, ultrasound.

a

Clinical test/s not specified