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http://dx.doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2009.22.2.146

Comparison of the Diagnostic Validity of Real and Absolute Skin Temperature Differences for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome  

Nahm, Francis Sahngun (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Lee, Pyung Bok (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Park, Soo Young (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Kim, Yong Chul (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Lee, Sang Chul (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine)
Publication Information
The Korean Journal of Pain / v.22, no.2, 2009 , pp. 146-150 More about this Journal
Abstract
Background: A skin temperature difference is one of the variables used in the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome. However, there have been no reports as to whether the real (${\Delta}T$) or absolute value ($|{\Delta}T|$) of skin temperature differences should be used in the diagnosis of complex regional pain syndrome. This study was conducted to compare the diagnostic validity of ${\Delta}T$ with $|{\Delta}T|$ for complex regional pain syndrome using receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC). Methods: Infrared thermographic images were obtained from the 144 patients who were suspected to have CRPS in a unilateral limb. After ${\Delta}T$ and $|{\Delta}T|$ calculation from the thermographic image, ROCs of ${\Delta}T$ and $|{\Delta}T|$ were developed, and the areas under the curve (AUC) for the ROC curves were compared. Results: AUCs of ${\Delta}T$ and $|{\Delta}T|$ were 0.520 and 0.746 respectively, this difference was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Absolute skin temperature difference shows greater validity in the diagnosis of CRPS than ${\Delta}T$. Therefore, $|{\Delta}T|$ is more useful when comparing the skin temperature of CRPS patients.
Keywords
complex regional pain syndrome; diagnostic imaging; receiver operating characteristic curve; thermography;
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Times Cited By KSCI : 2  (Citation Analysis)
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