Role Of Sensitivity And Specificity In Screening Test Accuracy

ANSWERS

The ability of a test to identify patients with the disease is referred to as sensitivity in screening.

The ‘Sensitivity’ factor in a test is used as a primary screening tool because it detects but does not necessarily indicate a problem. So, if a high-sensitivity test results in a positive result, it is recommended to perform another test that will pinpoint or be more specific, as explained later. Furthermore, sensitivity does not address disease prevalence, so it makes no difference how prevalent a particular disease is in the population; sensitivity is independent of it.

The ability of screening to identify those who do not have the disease is specificity.

So, when the test is specific, it is good at ruling in the disease when the test is positive. Specificity, like sensitivity, is unrelated to disease prevalence.

QUESTION

Role Of Sensitivity And Specificity In Screening Test Accuracy