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→Post-test probability
Before performing a diagnostic test a veterinarian usually has an idea of the likelihood that an animal has a disease, usually based on the levels of the disease in the population. The probability that an animal has a disease before a diagnostic test is performed is termed the '''pre-test probability''' and is usually the prevalence of the disease in the population, but can be modified depending on other factors e.g. whether the animal is showing symptoms of disease, whether certain risk factors for disease are present. Once a diagnostic test has been performed this probability can be modified to incorporate the results of the diagnostic tests to give an overall probability that an animal has the disease i.e. '''post-test probability.''' This is carried out as follows:
Before performing a diagnostic test a veterinarian usually has an idea of the likelihood that an animal has a disease, usually based on the levels of the disease in the population. The probability that an animal has a disease before a diagnostic test is performed is termed the '''pre-test probability''' and is usually the prevalence of the disease in the population, but can be modified depending on other factors e.g. whether the animal is showing symptoms of disease, whether certain risk factors for disease are present. Once a diagnostic test has been performed this probability can be modified to incorporate the results of the diagnostic tests to give an overall probability that an animal has the disease i.e. '''post-test probability.''' This is carried out as follows:
[[File:post-test probability.jpg]]