Question

. In a study, a radiologist correctly identifies 80 cases that contain a lesion (abnormality) and falsely diagnoses 10 cases as normal when they are not. In addition, he incorrectly diagnoses 15 cases as abnormal. However, he correctly identifies 165 normal cases. Calculate the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity.

Answer 1

The sensitivity rate of the test is 88%. For its part, the specificity rate of the test is 91%.

Explanation:

The sensitivity of a medical test is its ability to detect positive cases of the disease, while the specificity of the test is its ability to detect negative cases.

In total, there are 270 cases:

-80 positives

-10 false negatives

-15 false positives

-165 negatives

Thus, to calculate both concepts, the following calculations must be performed:

Sensitivity = positives / (positives + false negatives)

X = 80 / (80 + 10)

X = 80/90

X = 0.88

Thus, the sensitivity rate of the test is 88%.

Specificity = negatives / (negatives + false positives)

X = 165 / (165 + 15)

X = 165/180

X = 0.91

For its part, the specificity rate of the test is 91%.