Term: Specificity

Glossary Definition

Last Updated: 2010-05-05

Definition:

One of two indices (the other is sensitivity) used to evaluate the accuracy of a test that predicts dichotomous outcomes (e.g. logistic regression). It is the number of "true negatives" (those testing negative who do not have the disease) divided by all those without the disease.

Related concepts 

• Cancer Diagnoses Validity / Agreement In Administrative Health Data
• Validation of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) in Children

Related terms 

• Accuracy
• Logistic Regression
• Negative Predictive Value (NPV)
• Positive Predictive Value (PPV)
• Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve
• Sensitivity
• Youden's Index

References 

• Lix L, Yogendran M, Burchill C, Metge C, McKeen N, Moore D, Bond R. Defining and Validating Chronic Diseases: An Administrative Data Approach. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2006. [Report] [Summary] (View)

Term used in 

• Finlayson G, Ekuma O, Yogendran M, Burland E, Forget E. The Additional Cost of Chronic Disease in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2010. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Garland A, Fransoo R, Olafson K, Ramsey C, Yogendran M, Chateau D, McGowan K. The Epidemiology and Outcomes of Critical Illness in Manitoba. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Centre for Health Policy, 2012. [Report] [Summary] (View)
• Kraut A, Mustard C, Walld R, Tate R. Unemployment and health care utilization. Scand J Work Environ Health 2000;26(2):169-177. [Abstract] (View)