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Table 5 Sensitivity and specificity of combinations of symptoms for different clinical malaria definitions in individuals ≥5 years of age

From: Sensitivity of fever for diagnosis of clinical malaria in a Kenyan area of unstable, low malaria transmission

A. Symptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia

Predictors

Rule

Sensitivity

Specificity

F

Fever

55. 2

54. 4

C, F, M, H, V, ~D

Any of F, C, ~D, V, H

100. 0

2. 4

C, F, M, ~D

Any of F, C, ~D

98. 5

5. 6

F, ~D

Either of F, ~D

98. 5

6. 6

~D

~D

96. 9

12. 5

C, F, M, ~D

≥ 2 of C, F, M, ~D

73. 7

43. 5

F, H

F or H

96. 8

11. 5

B. Symptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia plus T ≥ 37.5°C

Predictors

Rule

Sensitivity

Specificity

F

Fever

64. 7

54. 5

C, F, M, H, V, ~D

Any of C, F, M, H, V, ~D

100. 0

2. 1

C, F, M, ~D

Any of C, F, M, ~D

98. 3

4. 9

F, ~D

F,~D

98. 3

6. 5

~D

~D

96. 6

12. 2

C, F, M, ~D

≥ 2 of C, F, M, ~D

82. 8

40. 9

F, H

F or H

96. 6

7. 6

C. Symptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia ≥1,000 parasites/μL plus T ≥ 37.5°C

Predictors

Rule

Sensitivity

Specificity

F

Fever

69. 6

58. 4

F, H

F or H

100. 0

23. 0

D. Symptomatic P. falciparum parasitaemia ≥4,000 parasites/μL plus T ≥ 37.5°C

Predictors

Rule

Sensitivity

Specificity

F

Fever

64. 8

54. 2

C, F, M, V, ~D, H

Any of C, F, M, V, ~D, H

100. 0

2. 0

C, F, M, V, ~D

Any of C, F, M, V, ~D

97. 7

4. 8

~D

~D

95. 5

12. 1

C, F, M, V

Any of C, F, M, V

84. 1

34. 8

F, H

F or H

100. 0

22. 9

  1. Abbreviations: F fever, C chills, H headache, M Malaise, V vomiting, ~D No diarrhoea.