How is sensitivity of a new test defined?

Sensitivity of a test is a crucial concept in clinical chemistry and diagnostics, referring specifically to the test's ability to correctly identify individuals with a given disease. This means that sensitivity is defined as the percentage of persons who have the disease and receive a positive test result. A high sensitivity indicates that the test is effective at detecting the condition it is designed to diagnose, meaning that there are fewer false negatives (instances where the test fails to identify the disease).

In clinical practice, sensitivity is particularly significant because it reflects how well a test can aid in identifying patients who truly have the disease, which is essential for early intervention and treatment. A sensitive test is vital when the consequences of missing a diagnosis are serious, making it a key factor in the evaluation of diagnostic assays.

This understanding underscores why the option stating that sensitivity is the percentage of persons with the disease who test positive is the correct choice.