Evaluation of diagnostic tests in parallel and in series

Authors

  • Francesco Franco Regione Lazio, Roma
  • Anteo Di Napoli Comitato Tecnico-Scientifico RIDT, Roma

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33393/gcnd.2016.752

Keywords:

Clinical epidemiology, Multiple tests, Tests in parallel, Tests in series

Abstract

Multiple diagnostic tests are often required in clinical setting, evaluating the combination of their results to diagnose a disease or a condition. Multiple tests can be performed in parallel or in series. In parallel testing, two or more tests are applied to a patient at the same time. If any of the test results are positive, then the patient is considered to be positive. In series testing, the tests are performed sequentially, but only the individuals that are positive to the initial test are retested. A patient is only considered to be positive if all tests are positive. Using tests in parallel improves the negative predictive value, as it increases the sensitivity and reduces false negatives. Using tests in series improves the positive predictive value, as it increases specificity and reduces false positives. (Epidemiology_statistics)

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Published

2016-07-11

How to Cite

Franco, F., & Di Napoli, A. (2016). Evaluation of diagnostic tests in parallel and in series. Giornale Di Clinica Nefrologica E Dialisi, 28(3), 212–215. https://doi.org/10.33393/gcnd.2016.752

Issue

Section

Epidemiology and statistics

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