If a diagnostic test is 100% sensitive and 100% specific, the apparent prevalence equals the true prevalence.

Study for the ACVPM Epidemiology and Biostatistics Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, with hints and explanations for each. Be exam-ready!

Multiple Choice

If a diagnostic test is 100% sensitive and 100% specific, the apparent prevalence equals the true prevalence.

Explanation:
When a diagnostic test is 100% sensitive and 100% specific, there are no misclassified individuals; every diseased person tests positive and every non-diseased person tests negative, so the apparent prevalence matches the true prevalence. This comes from the relation: apparent prevalence = sensitivity × true prevalence + (1 − specificity) × (1 − true prevalence). With Se = 1 and Sp = 1, it becomes apparent prevalence = true prevalence. Therefore the statement is true. The other possibilities would require some misclassification or ambiguity in test results, which cannot occur with a perfect test.

When a diagnostic test is 100% sensitive and 100% specific, there are no misclassified individuals; every diseased person tests positive and every non-diseased person tests negative, so the apparent prevalence matches the true prevalence. This comes from the relation: apparent prevalence = sensitivity × true prevalence + (1 − specificity) × (1 − true prevalence). With Se = 1 and Sp = 1, it becomes apparent prevalence = true prevalence. Therefore the statement is true. The other possibilities would require some misclassification or ambiguity in test results, which cannot occur with a perfect test.

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