March 2014. Volume 10. Number 1

Estimates of the validity of diagnostic tests vary with the prevalence of the studies

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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AVC | Critically appraised articles

Leeflang MM, Rutjes AW, Reitsma JB, Hooft L, Bossuyt PM. Variation of a test's sensitivity and specificity with disease prevalence. CMAJ. 2013;185:E537-44.
Reviewers: Ruiz-Canela Cáceres J1, García Vera C2.
1CS Virgen de África. Sevilla. España.
2CS Sagasta-Ruiseñores. Zaragoza. España.
Correspondence: Juan Ruiz-Canela Cáceres. Email: jruizcanela@gmail.com
Reception date: 16/10/2013
Acceptance date: 28/10/2013
Publication date: 08/01/2013

Abstract

Authors' conclusions: the factors, that are responsible for the differences in the prevalence between certain populations, also vary the specificity and sensitivity of their diagnostic tests.

Reviewers' commentary: with data from 23 different meta-analyses (grouping 416 studies) the authors prove that differences in the prevalence of diseases may lead to significant changes in the sensitivity and specificity of the tests that are used for their diagnostic.

How to cite this article

Ruiz-Canela Cáceres J, García Vera C. Las estimaciones de validez de las pruebas diagnósticas varían según la prevalencia en los estudios. Evid Pediatr. 2014;10:8.

AVC | Critically appraised articles

Leeflang MM, Rutjes AW, Reitsma JB, Hooft L, Bossuyt PM. Variation of a test's sensitivity and specificity with disease prevalence. CMAJ. 2013;185:E537-44.
Reviewers: Ruiz-Canela Cáceres J1, García Vera C2.
1CS Virgen de África. Sevilla. España.
2CS Sagasta-Ruiseñores. Zaragoza. España.
Correspondence: Juan Ruiz-Canela Cáceres. Email: jruizcanela@gmail.com
Reception date: 16/10/2013
Acceptance date: 28/10/2013
Publication date: 08/01/2013

How to cite this article

Ruiz-Canela Cáceres J, García Vera C. Las estimaciones de validez de las pruebas diagnósticas varían según la prevalencia en los estudios. Evid Pediatr. 2014;10:8.

References

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  2. Rutjes AW, Reitsma JB, Di Nisio M, Smidt N, van Rijn JC, Bossuyt PM. Evidence of bias and variation in diagnostic accuracy studies. CMAJ. 2006;174:469-76.
  3. Macaskill P, Gatsonis C, Deeks JJ, Harbord RM, Takwoingi Y. Chapter 10: Analysing and Presenting Results. En: Deeks JJ, Bossuyt PM, Gatsonis C (ed.), Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy Version 1.0. The Cochrane Collaboration, 2010.
  4. Mulherin SA, Miller WC. Spectrum bias or spectrum effect? Subgroup variation in diagnostic test evaluation. Ann Intern Med. 2002;137:598-602.
  5. González Rodríguez MP, Velarde Mayol C. Listas guía de comprobación de estudios sobre pruebas diagnósticas incluidos en las revisiones sistemáticas: declaración QUADAS. Evid Pediatr. 2012;8:20.
08/01/2013

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