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Comparative Study
. 1994 Feb;49(2):112-4.
doi: 10.1136/thx.49.2.112.

Simplified exercise test for the initial differential diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV antibody positive patients

J Sauleda  1 , J Gea, X Aran, M C Aguar, M Orozco-Levi, J M Broquetas
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Simplified exercise test for the initial differential diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in HIV antibody positive patients

J Sauleda et al. Thorax. 1994 Feb.

Abstract

Background: This study was designed to evaluate the usefulness of a simplified exercise test in the differential diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP).

Methods: Forty five subjects with antibodies against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and pneumonia were included and divided into two groups: those with PCP and those with "other pneumonias" (non-PCP). The test involved pedalling for two minutes on a stretcher bed and was considered positive if SaO2 decreased by at least 3%.

Results: During the exercise the mean(SE) SaO2 fell in patients with PCP from 88(4)% to 84(3)%, p < 0.01, whilst it improved slightly in subjects with non-PCP from 91(1)% to 93(3)%, p < 0.05. Sensitivity was 77% and specificity 91%.

Conclusions: This simple test seems potentially useful for the initial investigation of HIV antibody positive patients with pneumonia.

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