title: Statistical methodology: III. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.
abstract: Measures including sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values have been traditionally used to assess a diagnostic test's ability to detect the presence or absence of disease. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis allows visual evaluation of the trade-offs between sensitivity and specificity associated with different values of the test result, or different "cutpoints" for defining a positive result. The purpose of this article is to define, construct, and interpret a ROC curve using a hypothetical example applicable to emergency medicine practice.
authors.affiliation: VAMC Health Services Research and Development, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. mgrzyb@umich.edu
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grzybowski
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Younger
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001064:Appendicitis / Q000175:diagnosis; D001831:Body Temperature; D003933:Diagnosis; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity