P : Meningitis patient
I : Meningeal Sign
C:
O : early diagnosis
Was there an independent, blind comparison between the index test and an
appropriate reference ('gold') standard of diagnosis?
What is best? Where do I find the information?
There are two issues here. First the reference The Methods section should have a description
standard should be appropriate - as close to of the reference standard used and if you are
the 'truth' as possible. Sometimes there may unsure of whether or not this is an appropriate
not be a single reference test that is suitable reference standard you may need to do some
and a combination of tests may be used to background searching in the area.
indicate the presence of disease. The Methods section should also describe who
1
Diagnostic Study Appraisal Worksheet
Second, the reference standard and the index conducted the two tests and whether each was
test being assessed should be applied to each conducted independently and blinded to the
patient independently and blindly. Those who results of the other.
interpreted the results of one test should not be
aware of the results of the other test.
This paper: Yes No Unclear
Comment: This is a hospital based prospective observational study undertaken in Department of Medicine
and Neurology, in a tertiary care center, Shillong, from the period January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014.
2
Diagnostic Study Appraisal Worksheet
Were the methods for performing the test described in sufficient detail to permit
replication?
What is best? Where do I find the information?
The article should have sufficient description of The Methods section should describe the test in
the test to allow its replication and also detail.
interpretation of the results.
This paper: Yes No Unclear
Comment: During the study period, 113 patients were diagnosed to have scrub typhus out of which 15
(13.2%) patients had clinical feature suggestive of meningoencephalitis. However after examination and
investigation only 13 patients were included in the study as per inclusion and exclusion criteria.