A computer program for rapid generation of receiver operating characteristic curves and likelihood ratios in the evaluation of diagnostic tests

Abstract

We describe a MUMPS program to facilitate the evaluation of the diagnostic effectiveness and efficiency of laboratory tests using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and likelihood ratios (LR). Tests results from a population with and without a disease are stored into retrievable, editable data bases. Either single or a combination (≤ 9) of different test data files can be accessed to generate tables of calculated frequency distribution, sensitivity, l-specificity and LR at variable decision thresholds. The program also calculates the area under the ROC curve, confidence intervals and SE. The selection of the optimum cut-off value is assisted by graphical plots of frequency distribution, ROC and decision level curves as illustrated by using some 'cardiac' enzyme tests.