What is sensitivity? - AnswersThe percentage of patients who have a true positive result. Tests
with a high sensitivity have a very low percentage of false-negative results, a negative result is
likely a true negative.
How do you calculate sensitivity? - AnswersTrue Positives / Total # of patients with disease
What is the SnNout mnemonic? - AnswersA highly sensitive test is most helpful when the test
result is negative. Sensitivity, negative test, rule out.
What is specificity? - AnswersThe percentage of patients without the disease who have a true-
negative test result. Tests with a very high specificity have a low percentage of false-positive
results, therefore a positive result is likely a true negative.
How do you calculate specificity? - AnswersTrue negatives / Total # of patients without a disease
What is the SpPin mnemonic? - AnswersA highly specific test is most helpful to the clinician
when the test is positive Specificity, positive test, rule in.
What is a positive likelihood ratio (LR+)? - AnswersThe ratio between the probability of an
individual WITH disease having a positive test divided by the probability of an individual
WITHOUT disease having a positive test.
How do you measure a positive likelihood ratio (LR+)? - AnswersLR+ = sensitivity / 1-specificity
What is a negative likelihood ratio (LR-)? - AnswersLR- is defined as the probability of an
individual WITH disease having a negative test divided by the probability of an individual
WITHOUT disease having a negative test.
How do you measure a negative likelihood ratio (LR-)? - AnswersLR- = 1 - sensitivity / specificity
What is Fagan's nomogram? - AnswersA graphical tool which, in routine clinical practice, allows
one to use the results of a diagnostic test to estimate a patient's probability of having disease.
A straight line is drawn from a patient's pre-test probability of disease through the likelihood
ratio of the test and it will intersect with the post test probability of disease.
What is pre-test probability? - AnswersThe probability of chance of having the disease before
the test result is known. This is usually estimated on the basis of the clinician's personal
experience, local prevalence data, and published reports.