title: Objective evaluation of data in screening for disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In order to decide on the feasibility of screening for disease by laboratory testing, a number of assessments need to be made. The necessary procedures and statistical calculations are required for an objective evaluation of the diagnostic accuracy of a laboratory test and of the potential for screening and of the data obtained from the screening.
  
  
  METHODS
  The determination of reference intervals, is an essential first step in the evaluation of the performance of a laboratory test. The procedures and calculations are necessary for the determination of the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic predictive value and receiver-operating characteristic curve of a test and their respective applications in laboratory screening for disease. The additional statistical tools include odds ratios and likelihood ratios for assessing the performance of a laboratory test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These tools are used in the development of an appropriate clinical decision limit in a defined population of subjects and under defined conditions for acceptable screening.
authors.affiliation: Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center, 5000 W. National Avenue, Milwaukee, WI 53295, USA. esasse@wi.rr.com
authors.forename: Edward A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Sasse
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003657:Decision Making; D006801:Humans; D009098:Multiphasic Screening / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity