title: Bayesian estimation of diagnostic tests accuracy for semi-latent data with covariates.
abstract: The performance of a diagnostic test is usually summarized by its sensitivity and specificity. Sensitivity is the probability of a positive result, once the individual is truly ill, and specificity is the probability of a negative result, regarding a healthy individual. These measures are obtained by comparing the test outcome and the results of a reference test generically denominated gold standard. However, in many applied problems considering two diagnostic tests, the gold standard is not available for those individuals with negative results on both tests. In addition, not all diagnostic tests have the same performance across different populations. In this context, we present a Bayesian inference approach for performance measures estimation and we propose an extension of this procedure involving the inclusion of covariates. This Bayesian approach is based on Markov Chain Monte Carlo methods. The conditional dependence between the diagnostic tests was considered. As an example, we applied the proposed methodology to a real data set obtained from the medical literature.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Medical School of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil. edson@fmrp.usp.br
authors.forename: Edson Zangiacomi
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Jorge Alberto
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Achcar
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Louzada-Neto
mesh_terms: D001499:Bayes Theorem; D044383:Black People; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005188:False Negative Reactions; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015233:Models, Statistical; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D044465:White People
chemical_list: D017430:Prostate-Specific Antigen