Use of minimum and maximum pretest probabilities to conclude with confidence after obtaining a diagnostic test result
What is new?
Key findings • A diagnostic framework based on minimum and maximum pretest probabilities (PTP+ and PTP-) allows bedside interpretation of diagnostic tests with a predefined level of confidence.
What this adds to what was known? • Instead of relying on a single pair of predictive values derived from a study sample, test performance can be expressed as confidence-based pretest probability thresholds intrinsic to the test and applicable across clinical presentations.
What is the implication and what should change now? • Clinicians should estimate an individual’s pretest probability and compare it with PTP+ (positive result) or PTP- (negative result) to make patient-specific decisions, while authors should replace single predictive values with PTP⁺ and PTP⁻.




