A Philosophical Approach to Diagnostic Test Evaluation
Authors: Gabe S. Sonke, André L.M. Verbeek, Lambertus A.L.M. Kiemeney
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2007)

Letters15 May 2007A Philosophical Approach to Diagnostic Test EvaluationGabe S. Sonke, MD, PhD, André L.M. Verbeek, MD, PhD, and Lambertus A.L.M. Kiemeney, PhDGabe S. Sonke, MD, PhDFrom the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.Search for more papers by this author, André L.M. Verbeek, MD, PhDFrom the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.Search for more papers by this author, and Lambertus A.L.M. Kiemeney, PhDFrom the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-146-10-200705150-00015 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:In their recent article, Lord and colleagues (1) propose a framework to decide when measuring diagnostic test accuracy is sufficient to evaluate a diagnostic test and when a randomized trial is needed. Their work, in accordance with most previous papers on the subject, considers accuracy and patient outcome studies as separate phases in the evaluation of a diagnostic test: Accuracy studies show how well a diagnostic test identifies the true presence or absence of disease, and patient outcome studies show whether a patient classification based on the new test better predicts patient outcome. We feel that this ...References1. Lord SJ, Irwig L, Simes RJ. When is measuring sensitivity and specificity sufficient to evaluate a diagnostic test, and when do we need randomized trials? Ann Intern Med. 2006;144:850-5. [PMID: 16754927] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Boorse C. Health as a theoretical concept. Philos Sci. 1977;44:552-73. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. Gammelgaard A. Evolutionary biology and the concept of disease. Med Health Care Philos. 2000;3:109-16. [PMID: 11079338] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoWhen Is Measuring Sensitivity and Specificity Sufficient To Evaluate a Diagnostic Test, and When Do We Need Randomized Trials? Sarah J. Lord , Les Irwig , and R. John Simes A Philosophical Approach to Diagnostic Test Evaluation Sarah J. Lord , Les Irwig , and R. John Simes Metrics Cited ByLa pregunta de investigación en la práctica clínica: guía para formularlaThe research question in clinical practice: A guideline for its formulationA philosophical perspective supports the need for patient-outcome studies in diagnostic test evaluation 15 May 2007Volume 146, Issue 10Page: 757KeywordsConflicts of interestForecastingGenetic diseasesGenetic polymorphismPancreatic ductsPatientsQuality of life ePublished: 15 May 2007 Issue Published: 15 May 2007 CopyrightCopyright © 2007 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...