Discrepant analysis: a biased and an unscientific method for estimating test sensitivity and specificity.

摘要: Discrepant analysis is a widely used technique for estimating test performance indices (sensitivity, specificity, etc.) of DNA-amplification tests detecting infectious diseases. It has recently been claimed that the discrepant analysis-based estimates specificity are typically less biased than those based on culture and shows little appreciable bias. In this article, I show conclusions incorrect. Using typical example from published literature, sensitivity can generate significant clinically important overestimation true values. Moreover, demonstrate concept profoundly flawed unscientific. violates fundamental principle diagnostic testing-the new should not be to determine disease status. Thus, major problem with only it but Therefore, adopted evaluation any or screening test.