[Use of diagnostic tests in the context of evidence-based medicine].
BACKGROUND
The advances of medicine over the last twenty years include the use of new tests and diagnostic methods in clinical practice. At the same time, we have witnessed the introduction of a strong movement, named Evidence Based Medicine, which basically includes a serious attempt for rationalizing the findings of more than 50 years of biomedical research, and to apply them properly to our patients as well as to the whole population.


METHODS
Review of the published literature. All the recommendations are used in a practical example.


RESULTS
Summary of the current existing recommendations for the assessment of a new diagnostic tool before its clinical application, and discussion of possible solutions for achieving a more efficient use of these tests.


CONCLUSIONS
There are enough evidences for defining criteria for a uniform evaluation process of new diagnostic tests. The criteria could be useful for the clinical application of these tests.
Trilla
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A
Epidemiología Hospitalaria y Evaluación de Servicios, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS) Barcelona.
Aymerich
M
M
D015982:Bias; D015706:Bibliometrics; D003363:Cost Control; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D019937:Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures / Q000191:economics / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests