Positive predictive values in clinical screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip
Clinical hip examinations are a crucial part of the screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), but what is the value of this clinical screening.
In this article we examined the positive predictive value (PPV) of clinical hip examinations performed by Danish midwives, general practitioners and paediatricians in the screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). We compared clinical hip examinations made by screeners and orthopaedic surgeons to ultrasound findings. PPV of clinical hip examinations for referrers were low (<5.4%) and significantly lower when compared to orthopaedic surgeons (33.3%).
This study highlight the challenges and questions the foundation for universal clinical DDH screening programs utilizing generalist health professionals as primary clinical screeners.