Notes on specificity versus sensitivity:
- Specificity is "disease-focused." The more specific a test is, the fewer false-positive results will occur.
- Remember that a false-positive result can lead to a misdiagnosis with the possible consequence of unnecessary diagnostic procedures and therapies.
- Sensitivity, on the other hand, is "wellness or normal focused." The more sensitive a test, the fewer false-negative results it produces.
Important note: For many reasons, it is nearly impossible to eliminate all false positive or false negative test results. In general, the cutoff set for an analyte - delineating a normal versus abnormal result - may be shifted accordingly (depending on the target population).
