Accuracy, page-3

Hi Cyrus,

Just a reminder that X-ray is the current gold standard for pneumonia diagnoses - this is usually searching for consolidation of the lungs upon imaging. Sensitivity of this is around 80% - out of all of the patients who are infected who undergo this test, how many actually get labeled infected are around 80%.

So, if RAP can achieve anywhere above 80% then in my books it is a superior diagnostic tool for a multitude of reasons, including but not limited to its efficiency, lack of risk for pt, accessibility and of course its price.


Here are two publicly accessible studies demonstrating the limitations of CXR in diagnosing pneumonia. I have more but these are not publicly accessible and I can't share them for various reasons.

The second article brings out an interesting fact: physical examination (percussing of chest, steth exams) and clinical history of pts are insufficient in diagnosing pneumonia, therefore for individuals in certain nursing homes or homebound pts who are unable to undergo CXRs, pneumonia is often misdiagnosed and mistreated. Perhaps a simple cough may be enough in the near future.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23083885

https://mospace.umsystem.edu/xmlui/...DiagnosisPneumonia.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y