Article,
Interpreting diagnostic tests with continuous results and no gold standard: a common scenario explained using the tuberculin skin test.
Evidence-based medicine, 22 (6): 199-201 (December 2017)Proves diagnòstiques; TB.
DOI: 10.1136/ebmed-2017-110825
Abstract
Practitioners of evidence-based medicine commonly encounter diagnostic tests with continuous results and no gold standard. In contrast, the traditional critical appraisal teachings assume a binary test (2×2 table) with a gold standard. In this guide, we use the example of the tuberculin skin test to illustrate a simple approach facilitated by using stratum-specific likelihood ratios and odds of developing future patient-important events. This approach can aid practitioners in the interpretation and application of diagnostic tests to patient care.
