A systematic review of the diagnostic utility of simple tests of change after trial removal of cerebrospinal fluid in adults with normal pressure hydrocephalus.

OBJECTIVE: To synthesize the evidence regarding the diagnostic value of simple ancillary tests post cerebrospinal fluid drainage in normal pressure hydrocephalus.

DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane library databases; last searched on 12 September 2017.

REVIEW METHODS: This review was performed applying the steps of the PRISMA statement. The QUADAS 2 tool was used to assess the risk of bias. Prospective and retrospective trials were systematically reviewed, and data on diagnostic accuracy were extracted. Meta-analysis (where possible) was performed. Hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic package was used to calculate pooled estimates of included diagnostic studies.

RESULTS: Seventeen trials (with 812 subjects in total) were identified for inclusion in the meta-analyses for the 18-meter walk test, video-recorded gait performance, cognitive test, and Timed Up and Go Test. The summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity for the 18-meter walk test was 0.83 (95% CI 0.57 to 0.99) and 0.67 (95% CI 0.33 to 0.95), video-recorded gait performance was 0.85 (95% CI 0.47 to 0.99) and 0.68 (95% CI 0.33 to 0.96), cognitive test was 0.82 (95% CI 0.41-0.99) and 0.75 (95% CI 0.39-0.99), and Timed Up and Go Test was 0.89 (95% CI 0.79-0.95) and 0.63 (95% CI 0.24-0.90), respectively.

CONCLUSION: This review highlights the diagnostic value of the 18-meter walk test, video-recorded gait performance, cognitive test, and Timed Up and Go Test in predicting shunt outcomes among adults with normal pressure hydrocephalus.