A new screening test for diabetes is evaluated in 1000 individuals. The prevalence of diabetes is 12%. The test correctly identifies 108 true positives and 792 true negatives. What is the sensitivity of this test?
- A 95%
- B 90% ✓
- C 80%
- D 75%
Correct answer: B. 90%
Explanation
Prevalence = 12%, so total with disease = 120. Sensitivity = True Positives / (True Positives + False Negatives) = TP / Total diseased = 108 / 120 = 90%. Option C (80%) would result from dividing by total tested. Option A (95%) is the specificity: 792 / 880 = 90% as well. Specificity here is also 90% but the question asks for sensitivity.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.