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Table 3 Diagnostic accuracy of initial treating physicians and research physician

From: Diagnostic accuracy of evaluation of suspected syncope in the emergency department: usual practice vs. ESC guidelines

Reference standard

 

vasovagal reflexsyncope

situational reflex syncope

cardiac syncope

Initial OH

OH

psychogenic pseudosyncope

non syncopal attack

Unknown

Total initial treating physicians

Initial treating physicians

vasovagal reflex syncope

47

3

2

1

1

54 (53.5%)

situational reflex syncope

1

2

3 (3.0%)

cardiac syncope

3

2

2

2

1

10 (9.9%)

Initial OH

OH

3

2

8

1

14 (13.9%)

psychogenic pseudosyncope

non syncopal attack

3

3*

1

7* (6.9%)

Unknown

6

2

1

4

13 (12.9%)

Total Reference standard

63 (63.4%)

5 (5.0%)

2 (2.0%)

4 (3.9%)

14 (13.9%)

2 (2.0%)

4* (3.9%)

7 (6.9%)

101

Reference standard

 

vasovagal reflex syncope

situational reflex syncope

cardiac syncope

Initial OH

OH

psychogenic pseudosyncope

non syncopal attack

unknown

Total Researcher

Researcher

vasovagal reflex syncope

50

1

4

55 (54.5%)

situational reflex syncope

3

5

1

9 (8.9%)

cardiac syncope

2

2 (2.0%)

Initial OH

2

3

2

7 (6.9%)

OH

5

14

1

20 (19.8%)

psychogenic pseud osyncope

2

2

4 (3.9%)

non syncopal attack

1

2

1

4 (3.9%)

Unknown

Total Reference standard

63 (63.4%)

5 (5.0%)

2 (2.0%)

4 (3.9%)

14 (13.9%)

2 (2.0%)

4* (3.9%)

7 (6.9%)

101

  1. Diagnostic accuracy is defined as the proportion of patients with a diagnosis after initial evaluation in the correct diagnostic category (using expert consensus after long-term follow-up). In both tables, the reference standard represents that correct diagnostic category. The upper table compares the working diagnosis made by the initial treating physicians to the reference standard. The lower table compares the working diagnosis made by the researcher with the reference standard. *Indicates one patient diagnosed with epilepsy. OH= orthostatic hypotension