Optimizing Feedlot Diagnostic Testing Strategies Using Test Characteristics, Disease Prevalence, and Relative Costs of Misdiagnosis.

Abstract

Diagnostic tests are commonly used by feedlot practitioners and range from clinical observations to more advanced physiologic testing. Diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, estimated prevalence in the population, and the costs of misdiagnoses need to be considered when selecting a diagnostic test strategy and interpreting results. This article describes methods for evaluating diagnostic strategies using economic outcomes to evaluate the most appropriate strategy for the expected situation. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity, and expected prevalence influence the likelihood of misdiagnosis in a given population, and the estimated direct economic impact can be used to quantify differences among diagnostic strategies.