Diagnostic accuracy and certainty from sequential evaluations in peripheral neuropathy

Three masked neuromuscular experts analyzed the contribution of the data fr om sequential evaluations in predicting specific varieties of peripheral ne uropathy in 72 patients. The largest improvement (16%) in diagnostic accura cy resulted from presentation of neurologic history. By contrast, diagnosti c confidence increased gradually with presentation of additional medical in formation. Therefore, the authors conclude that for diagnostic accuracy and certainty, expert neuromuscular judgment and extensive characterizing or d iscriminative testing are needed.