Likelihood ratios: clinical application in day-to-day practice
- PMID: 19384017
- PMCID: PMC2683447
- DOI: 10.4103/0301-4738.49397
Likelihood ratios: clinical application in day-to-day practice
Abstract
In this article we provide an introduction to the use of likelihood ratios in clinical ophthalmology. Likelihood ratios permit the best use of clinical test results to establish diagnoses for the individual patient. Examples and step-by-step calculations demonstrate the estimation of pretest probability, pretest odds, and calculation of posttest odds and posttest probability using likelihood ratios. The benefits and limitations of this approach are discussed.
Conflict of interest statement
References
-
- Moons KG, van Es GA, Deckers JW, Habbema JD, Grobbee DE. Limitations of sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio, and Bayes' theorem in assessing diagnostic probabilities: A clinical example. Epidemiology. 1997;8:12–7. - PubMed
-
- Brenner H, Gefeller O. Variation of sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and predictive values with disease prevalence. Stat Med. 1997;16:981–91. - PubMed
-
- Sackett DL, Haynes RB, Guyatt GH, Tugwell P. A Basic Science for Clinical Medicine. New York: Little, Brown and co; 1991. Clinical Epidemiology; pp. 109–67.
-
- GDx Primer, Chapter 3. The Normative Database, page 27. Available from; http://www.zeiss.com/C125679E00525939/EmbedTitelIntern/GdxPrimerChapter3.... [accessed on 2007 Dec 10]
