Rade B Vukmir1. 1. University of Pittsburgh, Medical Center UPMC, Northwest One Spruce Street, Franklin, PA 16323, USA. RVUKMIR@eci-med.com
Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate whether there was a correlation between elevated serum prolactin in patients presenting with the question of seizure. METHODS: A Convenience sample of 200 consecutive patients were chosen who had a serum prolactin measurement in the setting of seizure activity. RESULTS: The prolactin level was within a range of 3.90-294.00 mg/dl with an upper limit of normal being 29.9 mg/dl. Patients were ultimately diagnosed with seizure in 54.5% (109 of 200) with an abnormal prolactine in 31.0% (62 of 200). The sensitivity of this serum prolactin was 42%, the specificity was 82%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 74%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 54%. There was an overall accuracy of 60% in the diagnosis of seizure, with a likelihood ratio of 2.4 (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.5-3.9). CONCLUSION: The measurement of serum prolactin is helpful as a confirmatory test, but not as screening test in the emergency department setting.
STUDY OBJECTIVE: We sought to evaluate whether there was a correlation between elevated serum prolactin in patients presenting with the question of seizure. METHODS: A Convenience sample of 200 consecutive patients were chosen who had a serum prolactin measurement in the setting of seizure activity. RESULTS: The prolactin level was within a range of 3.90-294.00 mg/dl with an upper limit of normal being 29.9 mg/dl. Patients were ultimately diagnosed with seizure in 54.5% (109 of 200) with an abnormal prolactine in 31.0% (62 of 200). The sensitivity of this serum prolactin was 42%, the specificity was 82%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 74%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 54%. There was an overall accuracy of 60% in the diagnosis of seizure, with a likelihood ratio of 2.4 (95% Confidence Interval [CI], 1.5-3.9). CONCLUSION: The measurement of serum prolactin is helpful as a confirmatory test, but not as screening test in the emergency department setting.
Authors: John M Gledhill; Elizabeth J Brand; John R Pollard; Richard D St Clair; Todd M Wallach; Peter B Crino Journal: Neurology Date: 2021-01-25 Impact factor: 9.910