Showing papers on "False positive paradox published in 1983"

Psychological Reactions in 102 Families with a Newborn Who Has a Falsely Positive Screening Test for Congenital Hypothyroidism

Abstract: The potential psychological risks of falsely positive test results in neonatal screenings have not been studied previously. 20 000 newborns were screened for congenital hypothyroidism. Of the 144 positive tests, 137 were false. The families of 102 babies with false positives were explored in reference to their (1) initial parental psychic reactions (emotional reactions and abilities for coping) and (2) residual reactions 6 to 12 months later. 78 families initially exhibited strong emotional reactions. Providing information about a positive screening test is therefore an acute strain to the majority. After a period of 6 to 12 months there was in 18 families persistent insecurity regarding the baby's health. These concerns were linked to the family to the screening and the disease screened for. This may impair the parent-child relation and thus, the child's development. Thus a false positive test appear to trigger in the majority a development of a psychic crisis. 12 families seemed however to have been totally untouched by the potential threat of the information. The crisis is effectively solved by most (consideration must be paid to the integrated psychological support given to all). It is not known whether the 18 risk families actually have been iatrogenically hurt or if their worries brought to attention in connection with the screening merely represent habitual psychic maladjustment. Preparation for parenthood and education about screening principles are beneficial and important. This study demonstrates the importance not only of asking how much worry is elicited but also how this worry is being handled (coping ability) in order to provide a fair estimate as to which families are at risk.

The special education evaluation process as a moderator of false positives.

Abstract: the Blind fill a large gap in our current procedures to assess the intellectual capabilities of low-vision and blind children. Both forms of the test serve too important a function for the limitations mentioned here not to be remedied as soon as possible. Until such time as the test author can correct and publish revisions, examiners using the Perkins-Binet should find it helpful to follow the recommendations made throughout this discussion and summarized as follows:

Relationships Between the Booklet Category Test and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test

Abstract: This study compares total errors on the Booklet Form of the Category Test (DeFilippis, McCampbell & Rogers, 1979) with several scores of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (Heaton, 1981). In a heterogeneous sample of 30 neurologically impaired patients and 31 normal individuals the two tests exhibited a maximum correlation of 0.52 when partialing out the effects of age and education. In addition, this study suggests that the two exhibit similar overall diagnostic hit rates; however, they differ in false negatives and false positives. These results bring into question the assumption that these two neuropsychological tests are interchangeable. A need to recognize the nature of the differences between the tests in their clinical applications and in future research is discussed.

Statistical Support of the Proposed National Toxicology Program Protocol

Abstract: Statistical issues related to the design, analysis and interpretation of carcinogenicity studies are considered. A proposed modification of the "standard" National Cancer Institute (NCI) design of carcinogenicity studies in rodents is discussed. The primary objective was to obtain a design that maintained the power of the NCI design for detecting carcinogenic effects, while increasing the precision with which the underlying dose-response model could be estimated. "Optimum" three-dose designs are presented and discussed. Data analysis issues are also considered. Comparisons of tumor incidence should include adjustments for survival differences, and, if possible, cause of death determinations should be made for each individual animal. In some instances historical control data can aid an investigator in the overall evaluation of experimental results. Several important problems are discussed that must be overcome before historical control data can be used in a meaningful way. One critical issue in the interpretation of tumor incidence data is the issue of false positives. Data from 25 recent long term feeding studies are used to derive a statistical decision rule that closely approximates the scientific judgment process used in these studies. The overall false positive rate associated with this decision rule was found to be no more than 7-8%.

The Brucella ovis complement fixation test.

Abstract: Extract Sir:- For the effective control of ovine brucellosis it is imperative that veterinarians have both a sound knowledge of all aspects of the disease and access to reliable diagnostic tests. In recent years there have been a number of submissions to this journal, concerning the accuracy and use of the Brucella ovis complement fixation test, which have contributed to modifications being made to the test procedure, and we now have available a relatively reliable serological test.(3) However, it is important to maintain a constant check on both the sensitivity (few false negatives) and the specificity (few false positives) of the test. In infected flocks the sensitivity of the test is important, but of equal concern is that the test be highly specific. False positive reactions can result in a considerable waste of veterinarians' and clients' time, money and patience to establish that falsely reacting rams are not infected. Worse, these reactions may result in the hasty culling of a non-diseased...

An investigation of an excess incidence of heart disease.

Abstract: In a large complex chemical company, it is difficult to distinguish clusters of disease of occupational origin from those due to non-occupational factors and those that have arisen by chance. The mechanical application of statistical procedures to health data to detect occupational hazards will produce many false positives. More refined techniques were used to demonstrate that the incidence of coronary disease at a small site was too high to be attributed to chance alone. An intensive search for a causative factor proved abortive.