Predictive Value

1. The extent to which a test predicts future performance accurately.

2. The ability of a test to measure what it claims to measure.

The likelihood that a positive test result indicates disease or that a negative test result excludes disease.

A measure used by clinicians to interpret diagnostic test results. See also sensitivity, specificity.

• positive p. v. — the probability that a patient with a positive test result really does have the condition for which the test was conducted.
• negative p. v. — the probability that a patient with a negative test result really is free of the condition for which the test was conducted.