对于所有的脑膜炎,儿童的敏感度为 15%,特异性为 96%。[30]Perez Mendez C, Ona Navarro M, Ballesteros Garcia S, et al. Enteroviral meningitis. Clinical and laboratory findings in a series of 60 children [in Spanish]. An Esp Pediatr. 2001;55:11-14.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11412462?tool=bestpractice.com
对于所有的成人脑膜炎,敏感度为 9%,特异性为 100%。[32]Uchihara T, Tsukagoshi H. Jolt accentuation of headache: the most sensitive sign of CSF pleocytosis. Headache. 1991;31:167-171.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2071396?tool=bestpractice.com
老年人对所有脑膜炎的特异性为 88%。[33]Puxty JAH, Fox RA, Horan MA. The frequency of physical signs usually attributed to meningeal irritation in elderly patients. J Am Geriatr Soc. 1983;31:590-592.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6619465?tool=bestpractice.com
在病毒性脑膜炎中少见。