Optimal cut-off point ; Youden index ; Log-rank statistics ; Biomarkers
Abstract
Clinical research ultimately aimed to promptly diagnose and prevent diseases through precise
biomarker development. Finding the optimal cut-off point of a regularly measured biomarker
can help its interpretation and ultimately help in disease investigation and diagnosis, more spe cifically in determining the presence of diseases. Therefore, this study aimed to use the charac teristics of outcome variables in clinical research to explain how to determine the optimal cut off point. The outcome variables can be divided into dichotomous, ordinal, and survival types.
The optimal cut-off point can be determined by finding points that maximize the Youden in dex, extended Youden index, and log-rank statistics. This study will enable clinical researchers
to accurately determine the optimal cut-off points for regularly measured biomarkers, thereby
enabling prompt disease diagnosis for effective treatment