Sensitivity and specificity
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Sensitivity and specificity
Sensitivity and specificity are terms used to estimate the accuracy of test results.
Sensitivity refers to the probability of testing positive for a disease if the disease is truly present. As the sensitivity of a test increases, the number of people who have the disease but test negative (false negatives) will decrease.
Specificity refers to the probability of testing negative if the disease is truly absent. As the specificity of a test increases, the number of people who do not have the disease but test positive (false positives) will decrease.
Credits
| Author | Jeannette Curtis |
| Author | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Editor | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA |
| Associate Editor | Tracy Landauer |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Patrice Burgess, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Last Updated | May 25, 2007 |
| Last updated: | May 25, 2007 |
|---|---|
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS |
| Reviewed By: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
| Editors: | Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman, MATC |
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