Likelihood ratios with confidence: sample size estimation for diagnostic test studies.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Confidence intervals are important summary measures that provide useful information from clinical investigations, especially when comparing data from different populations or sites. Studies of a diagnostic test should include both point estimates and confidence intervals for the tests' sensitivity and specificity. Equally important measures of a test's efficiency are likelihood ratios at each test outcome level. We present a method for calculating likelihood ratio confidence intervals for tests that have positive or negative results, tests with non-positive/non-negative results, and tests reported on an ordinal outcome scale. In addition, we demonstrate a sample size estimation procedure for diagnostic test studies based on the desired likelihood ratio confidence interval. The renewed interest in confidence intervals in the medical literature is important, and should be extended to studies analyzing diagnostic tests.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Simel, DL; Samsa, GP; Matchar, DB

Published Date

  • 1991

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 44 / 8

Start / End Page

  • 763 - 770

PubMed ID

  • 1941027

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0895-4356

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/0895-4356(91)90128-v

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States