title: Using extended Rasch models to assess validity of diagnostic tests in the presence of a reference standard.
abstract: We show that extended Rasch models, built to deal with continuous latent variables, may be useful for assessing validity of medical diagnostic tests in the presence of a reference standard, particularly for chronic diseases. We derive estimates for sensitivity and specificity under the Rasch model assumptions. Our estimations can be computed conditionally on the level of potential confounding covariates, making use of a variety of extended Rasch models, namely log-linear Rasch models, to examine the association between covariates and both disease intensity and response to the tests. Also, another variety of extended Rasch models, partial credit models, can determine appropriate thresholds for quantitative diagnostic tests. As an example, we study the validity of some diagnostic tests of heart failure.
authors.affiliation: UMRESTTE IFSTTAR, Bron Cedex, France, vivian.viallon@univ-lyon1.fr
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Viallon
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ecosse
authors.forename: Mounir
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mesbah
authors.forename: Jacques
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pouchot
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coste
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015987:Effect Modifier, Epidemiologic; D016555:Matched-Pair Analysis; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012016:Reference Values; D013223:Statistics as Topic