title: Using and interpreting diagnostic tests.
abstract: Diagnostic tests are invaluable to the practice of veterinary medicine. Using them correctly and interpreting the results appropriately depend on having a good understanding of the basic principles outlined in this article. Topics covered include sensitivity and specificity, agreement among tests, using multiple tests, and other issues related to the use and interpretation of diagnostic tests. The most important principle is recognition that the interpretation of test results varies across populations and requires an estimate of the prevalence of the infection (or disease) in the population being studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, Canada. slmckenna@upei.ca
authors.forename: Shawn L B
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: McKenna
authors.forename: Ian R
authors.initials: IR
authors.lastname: Dohoo
mesh_terms: D000820:Animal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014730:Veterinary Medicine / Q000592:standards