Re: Predictive Value of Exercise Stress Testing in a Family Medicine Population
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* Markku Sumanen
* Kari Mattila

We read with great interest the article by Newman et al titled “Predictive Value of Exercise Stress Testing in a Family Medicine Population.”

The results confirm the findings we have reported in our studies a few years ago.1,2 In our studies, the predictive negative value of the test was 98% both among working-aged population and among older patients.

Therefore, we would like to point out that the authors’ statement to be the only ones to study predictive values of exercise stress testing for patient-oriented outcomes in family medicine is not entirely correct.

## Notes

*   Dr. Newman declined to respond to this letter.

## References

1.  Sumanen M, Jussila M, Mattila K. Exercise treadmill test may predict clinical outcome among working-aged patients suspected of coronary heart disease in general practice. Scand J Prim Health Care 2005; 23(1): 47–51.
    
    [PubMed](http://www.jabfm.org/lookup/external-ref?access_num=16025874&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fjabfp%2F22%2F2%2F224.atom) 

2.  Sumanen M, Mattila K. A negative finding in an exercise test is reliable among elderly people: a follow-up study. Gerontology 2007; 53(3): 159–64.
    
    [PubMed](http://www.jabfm.org/lookup/external-ref?access_num=17192713&link_type=MED&atom=%2Fjabfp%2F22%2F2%2F224.atom)