Table 6 Measures of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of speed of radial pulse.

From: Accuracy of breathing and radial pulse assessment by non-medical persons: an observational cross-sectional study

 

Sensitivity (%)

Specificity (%)

Accuracy (%)

Overall

(95% CI)

65.7%

(60.4–70.7)

82.9

(79.8–85.6)

77.1

(74.5–79.7)

Slow

(95% CI)

83.7

(69.3–93.2)

77.6

(72.5–82.2)

78.4

(73.7–82.6)

Normal

(95% CI)

52.3

(44.0–60.5)

80.1

(73.8–85.5)

68.0

(62.8–72.9)

Fast

(95% CI)

73.9

(66.1–80.6)

93.8

(89.4–96.8)

85.0

(80.8–88.6)

  1. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient: rs = 0.719, P < 0.001.
  2. SBP systolic blood pressure, PR pulse rate, bpm beats per minute, CI confidence interval.
  3. Radial pulse rate was categorised as follows: ‘slow’, PR = 49 bpm; ‘normal’ PR = 80 bpm; and ‘fast’, PR = 120 bpm.
  4. SPB 0 mmHg and PR 0 bpm data were excluded (n = 45).
  5. Incorrect answers regarding the presence of radial pulse were excluded (n = 32).
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