Examining the effect of evaluation sample size on the sensitivity and specificity of COVID-19 diagnostic tests in practice: a simulation study.
Camilla Sammut-PowellCharlie ReynardJoy AllenJohn McDermottJulian BraybrookRosa ParisiDaniel LassersonRichard Bodynull nullPublished in: Diagnostic and prognostic research (2022)
Based on imprecision alone, small evaluation studies can lead to the acceptance of diagnostic tests which are likely to fail to meet performance targets when deployed. There is diminished return on uncertainty surrounding an accuracy estimate above a total sample size of 250 (90 positive and 160 negative).