TRANSFER OF HYPERCALCEMIA DISCRIMINANT FUNCTIONS BETWEEN LOCAL HOSPITALS

Transferability of discriminant functions is potentially useful both f rom an economical point of view and because, in general, medical knowl edge, in this case discriminant functions, should be transferable. In the present study we have evaluated the transferability of discriminan t functions, estimated from routine laboratory analysis, age and sex i n two consecutively recorded populations with hypercalcemia including 162 and 257 patients with hypercalcemia. Discriminant functions were d eveloped fur each sex to distinguish between hypercalcemia associated with malignancy and hypercalcemia associated with other medical diseas es. The total diagnostic accuracy in Herlev was 82 and 78%, in women a nd men, and increased to 87 and 86% in both sexes considering cases cl assified with posterior probability levels of 60%. In Hvidovre the tot al diagnostic accuracy was 81 and 84% in women and men, and increased to 83 and 89% at posterior probability levels higher than 60%. Transfe r of the discriminant functions between the hospitals was followed by a decrease in diagnostic accuracy of 6-16%. At a posterior probability of 60% the diagnostic accuracies were 79% or more in the receiving ho spital, in both sexes, except For men in Hvidovre. In relation to thes e results the concept of genuine and non-genuine transfer factors is i ntroduced and discussed.