title: [The diagnostic specificity and sensitivity and the importance of disease prevalence].
abstract: In this paper the terms "diagnostic specificity, sensitivity and efficiency" are explained using the example of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). Clinical conditions are discussed which require tests with high sensitivity and/or specificity. In addition it is shown that the prevalence of a disease is an important factor for the predictive value of a test result. For instance, tests with good specificity will lead to a high proportion of false negative values if the prevalence of the disease detected by the test is low. In order to improve the predictive value of a positive test result, the clinician must try to assign a patient to a population of individuals in which the prevalence of the suspected disease is elevated. This can be done by carefully evaluating the history and the clinical signs.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002415:Cats; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D016181:Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016089:Immunodeficiency Virus, Feline / Q000276:immunology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral
vernacular_title: Uber die diagnostische Spezifität und Sensitivität und die Bedeutung der Krankheitshäufigkeit.