MDM Flashcards
What is the Y-axis on a receiver operating curve?
True positive rate = sensitivity
What is negative predictive value?
If the test result is negative, the chance the patient does not have disease
Negative predictive value = TN / (TN+FN)
Draw a 2x2 table for a diagnostic study
What is the formula for negative likelihood ratio?
LR- = P(negative result in diseased person) / P(negative result in non-diseased person)
= false negative rate / true negative rate
= [FN/(TP+FN)] / [TN/(FP+TN)]
= (1 – sensitivity) / specificity
Increased sensitivity is related to [direction, sign] predictive value
Increased sensitivity is related to increased negative predictive value
When is specificity prioritized in diagnostic testing?
When you need a very accurate diagnosis
- Treatment is very morbid (e.g. chemo)
- Label can be harmful (e.g. HIV)
- Later in the work up
Describe the important points about sensitivity
Given the presence of disease, the probability that a test will be positive
Minimize false negatives
SNOUT - sensitivity, rule out
Most useful when test is negative
Increased negative predictive value
Screening
Sensitivity = TP / (TP+FN)
(use left column)
What is the likelihood ratio?
What advantages does it have over sensitivity and specificity?
What is it used to calculate?
What is the formula for likelihood ratio?
Another way to describe the performance of a test
Can be used across a spectrum of test
Used to calculate post-test probability of a disease
LR = P(result in diseased person) / P(result in non-diseased person)
= true rate / false rate
Negative LR is influenced by ______
Sensitivity
(important to rule out disease)
What is a completely unhelpful LR?
1
Is specificity used to rule in or out?
SPIN - specificity, rule in
What is serial testing?
When is it used?
Do tests in sequence
Only do next test if first one is positive, so all tests done must be positive to label w/ diagnosis
- Rapid assessment not needed
- Tests are expensive or risky
- Want to maximize specificity
What is the X-axis on a receiver operating curve?
False positive rate = 1 – specificity
What is an index test?
Why is it used?
The test that we are studying
Always want easier and cheaper tests that give same info as gold standard
What is negative post-test probability?
If patient has a negative test result, the probability the disease is still present but the test missed it
Negative post-test probability = FN / (TN+FN)
What is the best positive LR?
Infinity
What are three important uses of the receiver operating curve?
- Comparing the performance of two or more tests
- Determining the best cutoff value of a test to determine disease versus no disease
- Understanding how good a test is overall (area under the curve)
When is parallel testing used?
- Rapid assessment necessary
- Patient cannot return easily
- Costs of tests relatively low
- Want to maximizine sensitivity
What is spectrum bias?
Performance of diagnostic test varies because the people tested are not part of a clinically relevant population
Occurs if a study population does not represent a true diagnostic dilemma
Affects external validity
Is sensitivity more useful for screening or confirming a diagnosis?
Sensitivity is useful for screening
Describe the important points about specificity
Given the absence of disease, the probability that a test will be negative
Minimize false positives
SPIN - specificity, rule in
Most useful when test is positive
Increased positive predictive valuie
Confirming a diagnosis
Specificity = TN / (FP+TN)
(use right column)
What is the best negative LR?
0
What three things do you need to calculate post-test probability?
- Sensitivity of the test
- Specificity of the test
- Pre-test probability (prevalence) of disease
When would you want a more specific test?
When you do not want to falsely label someone
- Late in diagnostic workup
- When false positives can harm patient (label is harmful, treatment is risky)
Why is diagnostic dilemma a criteria for performing a test?
A test is most helpful when it helps reduce uncertainty
Performing a test in a patient whose diagnosis is known is not helpful
Tests are most helpful when they distinguish between 2+ likely diagnoses
What is a useless test on a receiver operating curve?
Area under curve = 0.5
What is a perfect test on a receiver operating curve?
Area under curve = 1