Journal article
When is a test positive? The use of decision analysis to optimize test interpretation
Family medicine, Vol.25(10), pp.656-660
11/1993
PMID: 8288070
Abstract
Clinical laboratory are often provided as numerical values that are then interpreted as being positive or negative. While this approach might simplify interpretation, it also makes interpretation contingent on a standard test cutoff point. Alternatively, test results can be interpreted for a specific patient with reference to the particular patient's probability of disease, the benefit of detecting disease when it is present, and the cost of mistakenly making the diagnosis when the disease is a absent. This paper explains the analysis of laboratory test results using techniques from decision analysis and receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to define a positive result. The relationship between the ROC curve and likelihood ratios is illustrated using the diagnosis of urinary tract infection (UTI) to illustrate these concepts.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- When is a test positive? The use of decision analysis to optimize test interpretation
- Creators
- G R Bergus - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Family medicine, Vol.25(10), pp.656-660
- PMID
- 8288070
- NLM abbreviation
- Fam Med
- ISSN
- 0742-3225
- eISSN
- 1938-3800
- Publisher
- Society of Teachers of Family Medicine
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 11/1993
- Academic Unit
- Physician Assistant Studies; Psychiatry; Family and Community Medicine
- Record Identifier
- 9984280841802771
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