title: A discussion on the conventional estimator of sensitivity and specificity in multiple tests.
abstract: Both the variation of positive responses (negative responses) among individuals and the internal correlation among responses for the same individual affect the precision of the estimate of sensitivity (specificity). To estimate the sensitivity (specificity) of a medical diagnostic test, this paper proposes a Bayesian approach with a simple Markov model to evaluate the performance of the conventional estimator under different situations. On the basis of the assumed model, we derive a general formula for the variance of the conventional estimator regarding multiple tests and present a quantitative discussion on the limitations of this estimator.
authors.affiliation: Division of Injury Epidemiology and Control, Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, GA 30333.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Lui
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001499:Bayes Theorem; D016015:Logistic Models; D008390:Markov Chains; D009098:Multiphasic Screening / Q000592:standards*; D011336:Probability; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity