Diagnostic accuracy of organ electrodermal diagnostics. A pilot study

To estimate the diagnostic accuracy as well as the scope of utilisation of a new bio-electronic method of organ diagnostics.

Double-blind comparative study of the diagnostic results obtained by means of organ electrodermal diagnostics (OED) and clinical diagnoses, as a criterion standard.

Department of Surgery, Helen Joseph Hospital, Johannesburg.

70 pre-selected inpatients of mean age 36 (SD = 7) years with suspected pathology of one (or more) of the following organs: oesophagus, stomach, duodenum, biliary tract, pancreas, colon, kidneys and urinary tract. In total, 276 of the abovementioned internal organs were selected for statistical consideration.

The difference between the so-called basic electrical impedance of the skin and the impedance value established for a particular organ projection area (the skin zone corresponding to a particular internal organ).

In total 250 true OED results were obtained from the 276 subjects considered: detection rate 90.6% (95% CI 87.1-94.1%). Established OED sensitivity was 91.8% (95% CI 88.6-95.0%) and OED specificity equalled 89.9% (95% CI 86.4-93.4%). The predictive value for positive OED results was 83.3% (95% CI 78.9-87.7%) and for negative OED results 95.2% (95% CI 92.0-98.4%). The OED results were affected neither by the type nor the aetiology of disease, i.e. OED estimates the actual extent of the pathological process within particular organs but does not explain the cause of pathology directly. No side-effects of the OED examinations were observed.

So-called organ projection areas do exist on the skin surface. The electrical impedance of the projection areas corresponding to diseased organs is increased, relative to that of healthy organ-related skin zones. The difference in impedance is proportional to the intensity of the pathological process. OED, which utilises these electrical phenomena of the skin, may detect diseased organs and estimate the extent of pathological process activity within these organs.