A likelihood ratio positive (LR+) of 10 for a diagnostic test means:
- A The test has a sensitivity of 10% for the disease
- B 10% of positive tests are false positives
- C A positive result is 10 times more likely to come from a diseased person than a non-diseased person ✓
- D The post-test probability is 10 times the pre-test probability
Correct answer: C. A positive result is 10 times more likely to come from a diseased person than a non-diseased person
Explanation
LR+ = Sensitivity / (1 − Specificity). It represents the odds of a positive test result in a diseased individual relative to a non-diseased individual. LR+ >10 is considered strong evidence; it multiplies pre-test odds by LR+ (via Fagan nomogram) to yield post-test odds — it does not directly multiply probabilities.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.