Separate Measurement of FN and FP Correlations Between 2 Diagnostic Tests Permits Clinical Probability Revision.
Robert M. Hamm, PhD

11/28/1999

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Table of Contents

Separate Measurement of FN and FP Correlations Between 2 Diagnostic Tests Permits Clinical Probability Revision Robert M. Hamm, PhD

Correlated Signs, Symptoms, or Test Results

Example: "Test Characteristics" of Signs of Appendicitis. (Wagner, JAMA, 1997, 278:819)

Clinical use of correlated symptoms

Bayes' Theorem for Appendicitis

What if all appendicitis signs were known?

What if the signs are not independent?

Bayesian approaches

Multiple Logistic Regression Steyerberg, Eijkemans, and Hilden, 1998; Knottnerus, 1992

Heuristic Groupings

Tables and Correlations

Phi Correlation (both variables dichotomous)

What correlation?

Table Approach - Input data, assuming conditional independence

2 by 2 by 2 Table, assuming conditional independence

Posterior Probabilities, assuming conditional independence

Conditional Sensitivity and Specificity, assuming conditional dependence with r(FNs) = .40, r(FPs) = .40

Posterior Probabilities, assuming conditional dependence with r(FNs) = .40, r(FPs) = .40

Examples: Data from clinical studies

Alzheimer's: post test probabilities, all combinations of two test results.

Post test probabilities with and without conditional dependence.

Example: PSA and DRE for Prostate Cancer (Cooner, 1990)

Prostate Cancer

Example: Coronary Artery Stenosis (Sackett's text)

Coronary Artery Stenosis, continued

Conclusions

Future Research: Psychological

Future Research: Statistical

Author: Family & Preventive Medicine

Email: robert-hamm@ouhsc.edu

Home Page: www.fammed.ouhsc.edu/robhamm/index.htm