False-positive test result

False-positive test result is a term used in medical testing to describe a situation where a test incorrectly indicates the presence of a disease or other condition in a patient. This can occur for a variety of reasons, including errors in the test itself, or due to factors related to the patient's individual health circumstances.

Overview

In medicine, a false-positive test result occurs when a diagnostic test mistakenly signals the presence of a disease or condition. This can lead to unnecessary treatment and anxiety for the patient. It is one of the two types of errors that can occur in the context of diagnostic testing, the other being a false-negative test result.

Causes

There are several potential causes of false-positive test results. These can include:

• Errors in the test itself: No test is 100% accurate, and errors can occur in the testing process. This can include issues with the equipment used, or mistakes made in the interpretation of the results.

• Biological variation: Individual differences in biology can affect test results. For example, some people may have naturally high levels of certain substances in their body that a test may interpret as a sign of disease.

• Cross-reactivity: This occurs when a test reacts to a substance other than the one it is designed to detect. This can lead to a false-positive result.

Implications

False-positive test results can have significant implications for patients. These can include unnecessary anxiety, unnecessary treatment, and potential harm from unnecessary procedures. It can also lead to additional testing, which can be costly and time-consuming.

Prevention

Preventing false-positive test results involves improving the accuracy and reliability of medical testing. This can include better training for those who administer and interpret tests, improving the technology used in testing, and developing better criteria for interpreting test results.

See also

• False-negative test result
• Sensitivity and specificity
• Positive predictive value
• Negative predictive value

False-positive test result Resources
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