Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment

Bayes Theorem

A theorem in probability theory named for Thomas Bayes (1702-1761). In epidemiology, it is used to obtain the probability of disease in a group of people with some characteristic on the basis of the overall rate of that disease and of the likelihood of that characteristic in healthy and diseased individuals. The most familiar application is in clinical decision analysis where it is used for estimating the probability of a particular diagnosis given the appearance of some symptoms or test result.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

A theorem in probability theory named for Thomas Bayes (1702-1761). In epidemiology, it is used to obtain the probability of disease in a group of people with some characteristic on the basis of the overall rate of that disease and of the likelihood of that characteristic in healthy and diseased individuals. The most familiar application is in clinical decision analysis where it is used for estimating the probability of a particular diagnosis given the appearance of some symptoms or test result.

MeSH Record

Classification

Broader headings

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

15 entry terms
  • Theorem, Bayes
  • Analysis, Bayesian
  • Bayesian Analysis
  • Bayesian Approach
  • Bayesian Estimation
  • Bayesian Forecast
  • Bayesian Method
  • Bayesian Prediction
  • Approach, Bayesian
  • Approachs, Bayesian
  • Bayesian Approachs
  • Estimation, Bayesian
  • Forecast, Bayesian
  • Method, Bayesian
  • Prediction, Bayesian

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

IM general only

MeSH Record

History Note

91(75); was see under PROBABILITY 1975-90

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Probability (1966-1974)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Numbers

  1. E05.318w.740w.600w.200w
  2. N05.715w.360.750w.625w.150w
  3. N06.850w.520w.830w.600w.200w

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Bayes Theorem. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D001499. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D001499
  2. Bayes Theorem. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayes%27_theorem
  3. Bayes Theorem. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q182505