title: [Validation study of a diagnostic test: a guide to critical appraisal. Report on the role of endobronchial biopsy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis].
abstract: The case for endobronchial biopsy in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis: Faced with the continuous development of new diagnostic tests, the clinician needs to be able to critically assess their value and their clinical applicability. Using a practical example, the performance of endobronchial biopsy in diagnosing sarcoidosis, this review provides a guide for critically appraising a study evaluating a diagnostic test. The three main steps described are: 1) assessment of the validity of the results based on the scientific methods used; 2) analysis of the results with reference to sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, likelihood ratio, and precision of the diagnostic test in question; 3) determination of whether the results are applicable to an individual patient or to a specific patient population.
authors.affiliation: Département de Médecine Interne, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Genève, Suisse. Mathieu.Nendaz@hcuge.ch
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nendaz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Perrier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001706:Biopsy; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology