In Reply: Lactose Breath Hydrogen Test

We agree with Sheps' comments about the evaluation of diagnostic tests. In particular, the influence of the prevalence of the condition to the predictive value of the test is important when a test is used in a different setting (eg, community vs university hospitals) or with a different ethnic...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Pediatrics (Evanston) 1982-06, Vol.69 (6), p.828-828
Main Authors: Barr, Ronald G., Watkins, John B., Perman, Jay A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:We agree with Sheps' comments about the evaluation of diagnostic tests. In particular, the influence of the prevalence of the condition to the predictive value of the test is important when a test is used in a different setting (eg, community vs university hospitals) or with a different ethnic population1—a particularly important consideration when one is interested in detecting isolated lactase insufficiency in older children. However, we were reticent to consider the sensitivity and specificity obtained in this series to be representative of the test in general because of the many recognized factors that might affect these test characteristics.1,2
ISSN:0031-4005
1098-4275
DOI:10.1542/peds.69.6.828