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Related Experiment Videos

False negative rate. A misnomer, misunderstood and misused

G K Nagy1

  • 1Laboratory of Anatomic Pathology and Cytology, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany 12201-0509, USA.

Acta Cytologica
|May 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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The term "false negative rate" is statistically inaccurate. The correct term in cytopathology is "false negative proportion," representing a fraction of actual positive cases that were missed.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Statistics
  • Cytopathology

Background:

  • The term "false negative rate" is commonly used but statistically imprecise.
  • Related terms like "false negative fraction" and "miss rate" also lack statistical rigor.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To clarify the correct statistical terminology for missed diagnoses in cytopathology.
  • To introduce and define the statistically accurate term "false negative proportion."

Main Methods:

  • Statistical analysis of diagnostic terminology.
  • Definition of terms based on mathematical principles.

Main Results:

  • The expression "false negative rate" is a misnomer as "rate" implies change over time or another variable.
  • The statistically correct term is "false negative proportion," defined as the number of false negative cases divided by the sum of true positive and false negative cases.

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Conclusions:

  • Adoption of "false negative proportion" will improve statistical accuracy in cytopathology reporting.
  • Standardizing terminology enhances clarity and reduces ambiguity in diagnostic assessments.