title: [Diagnostic tests: basic concepts for their correct interpretation and use].
abstract: The present article aims to disseminate knowledge of a topic that is important in clinical epidemiology: evaluation of diagnostic tests. Mathematical formulae are kept to a minimum. The significance and interpretation of the most important diagnostic indexes characterizing these tests are explained in order to describe their use in daily clinical practice, especially their role in the design of diagnostic protocols. Features related to evidence-based medicine, which represent the next step after mastery of these concepts, are not analyzed.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Cirugía General y Digestiva, Hospital General de Castellón, Castellón de la Plana, España. escrig_vicsos@gva.es
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Escrig-Sos
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Martínez-Ramos
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Miralles-Tena
mesh_terms: D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008433:Mathematics