Analysis of clinical laboratory data by biplot methods using a three-dimensional display: discrimination of renal...

The biplot technique is a very useful graphical method to display the relationships between row and column characteristics in two-way tables. This method is applicable as long as the rank-2 approximation explains a large part (e.g. 95%) of the whole variability. However, since in large tables only a rank-3 approximation will yield such a high degree of explanation, a three-dimensional biplot technique has been introduced, using a 3d-screen as a matter of presentation of clinical laboratory data. The value of such a procedure is illustrated using as a clinical example a patient population with recurrent renal stone formation due either to primary hyperparathyroidism or to idiopathic hypercalciuria.