BMJ  2003;327 (15 November), doi:10.1136/bmj.327.7424.0-b

Many investigative tests are not evidence based

Many clinical tests used in respiratory medicine are not supported by strong evidence of their quality. Borrill and colleagues (p 1136) analysed diagnostic or confirmatory tests, and trials of therapy, in 90 consecutive patients referred to a respiratory clinic. The tests were graded according to a scale from the Centre for Evidence Based Medicine. The authors found that only 50% of diagnostic tests and 20% of tests used to monitor a known condition were supported by a strong level of evidence.

Credit: SHEILA TERRY/SPL

CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    What's this?

Relevant Article

Retrospective analysis of evidence base for tests used in diagnosis and monitoring of disease in respiratory medicine

Z Borrill, C Houghton, P J Sullivan, and P Sestini
BMJ 2003 327: 1136-1138. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]