Table 2 Results of prospective analysis of spontaneous sputum samples.
From: Assessing airway inflammation in clinical practice – experience with spontaneous sputum analysis
Question | Diagnosis confirmed | Analysis had impact | Diagnosis faster | Diagn. more economic | Success of treatment | New clue for diagn. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Category according to change in analog scales of diagnoses | n | mm | mm | mm | mm | mm | mm |
Overall | 75 | 80 (52;94) | 85 (50;92) | 85 (52;95) | 50 (45;85) | 55 (50;87) | 10 (2;50) |
C (confirmed, more confident) | 48 | 90 (80;100) | 90 (65;97) | 90 (85;100) | 50 (50;90) | 80 (50;90) | 10 (3;15) |
N (new clue) | 15 | 50 (15;60) | 80 (65;90) | 60 (50;85) | 50 (50;60) | 60 (50;87) | 86 (50;90) |
U (unchanged) | 7 | 52 (5;55) | 45 (5;50) | 50 (5;52) | 42 (5;50) | 45 (40;50) | 25 (5;38) |
L (less likely, no new clues) | 5 | 75 (15;100) | 50 (15;80) | 70 (15;100) | 15 (12;50) | 50 (15;50) | 15 (12;50) |