Diagnostic validity as a theoretical concept and as a measurable quantity

Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry
Johannes Büttner

Abstract

The analytical result of a laboratory examination is a scientific fact and has no medical meaning as such. It must be interpreted to become a medical finding. To explain the very complex cognitive procedure of the interpretation a three-level model is used. In an environment of cost containment in health care systems the quality of medical laboratory findings is very important. Analytical results are monitored by quality control procedures. For measuring the performance of medical findings the concept of the 'validity' of a laboratory test is used. Validity means the 'degree of achieving the objective'. Accordingly, a valid laboratory finding is one which correctly answers the question which the physician at the sick-bed directs to the laboratory. Quantitative measures for the validity of interpretation can be developed by an analysis of the underlying classification processes. Characteristic indices describing the validity quantitatively in terms of conditional probabilities can be derived from decision tables. Examples of 'validity indices' are diagnostic (or prognostic) 'sensitivity' and 'specificity'. These indices are powerful tools for developing strategies for the clinical use of laboratory examinations in diagnosis, pro...Continue Reading

References

Mar 1, 1973·Human Pathology·M WernerR Wette
May 26, 1966·The New England Journal of Medicine·T J Vecchio
Jan 1, 1950·Cancer·W J YOUDEN

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Citations

Mar 25, 1999·Clinica Chimica Acta; International Journal of Clinical Chemistry·M Plebani
Aug 26, 2004·Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine : CCLM·George G Klee
Sep 14, 2012·Drug Testing and Analysis·Ulrich FlenkerKatja Ickstadt
Sep 9, 2017·Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation·C MrowietzF Jung
Dec 26, 2018·Clinical Hemorheology and Microcirculation·C MrowietzU Wolf
Jul 11, 2000·Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine·T M St JohnT L Hearn

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