Folate Deficiency: Likelihood Ratios

Introduction: None written.

The likelihood ratios of findings for Folate Deficiency are listed below. See the left navigation bar to change the display.

Good Positive and Negative Likelihood Ratios

2.2

0.4

B12 deficiency can cause artificially low RBC folate levels.

Study: Arch Intern Med. 1999 Jun 28;159(12):1289-98. PMID: 10386505

Poorly Diagnostic Findings

Sensitivity = 91%

specificity not assessed. False positives may be from: B12 deficiency, B6 deficiency, renal failure, hypovolemia, etc.

Study: Arch Intern Med. 1999 Jun 28;159(12):1289-98. PMID: 10386505

Sensitivity = 12%

specificity not assessed.

Study: Arch Intern Med. 1999 Jun 28;159(12):1289-98. PMID: 10386505

Findings With Unspecified Accuracy

No accuracy specified.

Rather nonspecific. Often elevated in B12 deficiency. Often depressed in alcoholics.

Study: Arch Intern Med. 1999 Jun 28;159(12):1289-98. PMID: 10386505