Diagnostic concordance between clinical preliminary diagnoses and electrophysiological findings in 3,683 emg referrals: a single-center retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the concordance between clinical preliminary diagnoses and electrophysiological diagnoses obtained through electromyography (EMG) in patients referred with suspected entrapment neuropathies or polyneuropathy.

METHODS

In this retrospective descriptive study, 3,683 EMG reports from patients referred to the EMG unit of Samsun Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital between June 1, 2023, and February 10, 2025, were reviewed. All EMG procedures were performed and interpreted by the same physiatrist. Patient age, sex, clinical preliminary diagnoses, and final electrophysiological findings were recorded. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Of the patients, 75.4% were female, with a mean age of 54.6 ± 14.1 years. The most common referral diagnoses were carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) (62.4%), polyneuropathy (PNP) (34.1%), cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) (2.6%), meralgia paresthetica (MP) (0.7%), and tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) (0.2%). EMG.

CONCLUSION

The concordance between clinical and EMG diagnoses was generally moderate. In CTS and PNP, specificity was notably low. Improving clinical assessment and referral accuracy may enhance diagnostic precision and reduce unnecessary testing and patient waiting times.