A systematic review 1 including 36 observational studies was abstracted in DARE. 4 studies were on history (n=844), 8 on physical examination (n=3 476) and 2 on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (n=1 421). 9 studies were on vertebral cancer metastasis and 8 studies were on ankylosing spondylitis.
For radiculopathy, no single test had a high sensitivity or specificity. History and erythrocyte sedimentation rate had relatively high diagnostic accuracy in vertebral cancer. Getting out of bed at night and reduced lateral mobility seemed to be the only moderately accurate items in ankylosing spondylitis.
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