Interpreting Liver Test results - SDL

Question 1

What is the normal/reference range?

Answer 1

Defines the values of a biochemical test found in healthy subjects
Patient values can be compared
Artificial concept
2 standard deviations either side of normal

Question 2

What is specificity?

Answer 2

True negative rate

proportion of negatives that are correctly identified

Question 3

What is sensitivity?

Answer 3

True positive rate

Proportion of positives that are correctly identified

Question 4

When is a specific test preferred to be used?

Answer 4

Screen positive - higher cost

Question 5

When is a sensitive test preferred to be used?

Answer 5

First line tests - low cost

Question 6

What are comparison groups for test?

Answer 6

Group of participants, with many demographic variables similar to the experimental group
Exposed to all of the conditions of the study except the variable being tested

Question 7

What factors influence test results?

Answer 7

Selection of population used - same age/gender/HPC etc
Number of tests used
Combining tests

Question 8

What is a continuous risk factor?

Answer 8

a risk factor that can have many values, doesn’t just fit into one catagory

Question 9

What are examples of continuous risk factors?

Answer 9

Plasma glucose levels