When referring to medical findings, what does the phrase "suggestive" mean?

Question

Someone close to me is currently disabled. But her insurance company is trying to cut off her benefits. I am helping her fight this. She has taken an EMG and the results said that "findings are suggestive of bilateral ulnar motor neuropathy at the elbows, mild bilateral distal and median sensory neuropathy."

But the insurance doctor said these were negative results, because, he claims, "suggestive" means the test didn't find anything. He went even further and said "Suggestive means it's what the patient tells you," not what the test found.

Is this correct? I'd definitely appreciate a great answer. I'm pretty sure sure suggestive is close to a positive finding, if not a positive one. Also, suggestive can't be what the patient tells you, at least not in this case. In this case, the patient does not even know what these medical terms mean.

Thanks a lot.

Answer 1

Generally, if results are "suggestive" of some disorder, it means that they are not totally conclusive, but they show some signs of that disorder. However, the signs are not strong enough to completely rule out other possibilities.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Suggestive means just that - the test results "suggest" the possibility that the diagnosis is such, meaning there are certain criteria met according to the symptoms present, test results, etc. and what you need to do is have a doctor nail down that diagnosis if it is indeed the correct one or to positively rule it out - it does not in any way mean a negative nor does it mean that the information came from a patient. Good luck to you in your battle with the insurance company and HMO's as the case may be. God be with you.

Answer 4

There are some finding on tests that are conclusive - if you have that finding, you have that disease or condition.

There are other findings that point to a condition, but are not strong enough to say for sure "that's what you have!" Doctors use studies, such as the EMG, in the context of a patient's history and physical exam to reach a diagnosis.

The insurance doctor is paid by the insurance company to NOT spend their money. Your friend may have to get statements from other doctors to substantiate her claim. It may also involve litigation.

Suggestive is NOT the same as negative. It means the evidence points toward it, but isn't conclusive.

Answer 5

The results of the EMG (actually NCV) are sufficiently specific to treated as POSITIVE. The word "suggestive" is the standard word used by most reporting doctors in all positive reports to point towards the likely culprit. Some people use the word "indicates". Get opinion from the Neurologist (This test must have been reported by a Neurologist) as to whether the test results tally with your friend's symptoms and clinical findings. He can also clarify that his report is actually positive.
What the patient said is usually not included in such reports since they are meant to be accurate accounts of technical procedures reported by qualified personnel.

Answer 6

The insurance guy's full of it. There's nothing special about the word, It means exactly that. The study may not have been iron-clad proof, but absolute certainty in medicine is a rare thing indeed. She needs a lawyer. Have they flipped her ulnar nerves around to the other side of the bone yet? or is that what the insurer's trying to get out of paying for?
As a doctor, I'd like to see cases like this publicized, including the name of the insurer, who deserves all the bad press he can get.

Answer 7

Acupuncture, which involves inserting thin needles into various points on your body, may reduce peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

Answer 8

it means that something has a potential to trip you out, but since thats not a scientific term, its better to say "suggestive".