Diagnostic versus classification criteria - a continuum.
The current understanding that disease criteria are different than classification criteria is not well founded. In fact, they are a continuum. The arithmetic behind the two are the same and is built on a clear understanding of the concepts of sensitivity and specificity. Diagnosis is nothing different than classification in the individual patient. The main element that makes a set of criteria diagnostic is the pretest odds. We should question our current practice of making universal disease criteria and perhaps design criteria tailored to subspecialties.
Yazici
Hasan
H
Department of Medicine, University of Istanbul, Turkey. hyazici@attglobal.net
D032882:Comprehension; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012216:Rheumatic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D009626:Terminology as Topic