specificity – when referring to the accuracy of a test result, specificity refers to the proportion of people who do not have an illness or disease who have a negative test result.
If a test has low specificity, the concern is over false-positive results – where people who to not have a condition are wrongly diagnosed as having it.
If a test has high specificity, then people who to not have a condition are correctly ruled out from the condition.
For a serious condition, high specificity is essential to prevent people being unnecessarily treated.
Online calculator.
See sensitivity.
epoetin-alpha (EPO) – a treatment for anaemia, given by injection. Used to reduce side effect of hepatitis C treatment.
quantitative (in a study) – where what is being measured has a numerical value or fits a pre-defined scale or range of responses.
CDC – Centre for Disease Control, part of the USA health administration.
Hypotension is the medical name for low blood pressure.
Blood pressure is measured as two numbers ie 120/80. The first number is systolic BP – the pressure when your heart beats. The second number is diastolic BP, which is the pressure when you heart rests between beats.
Target range for BP is usually 120/80.
See: hypertension (high blood pressure).
