Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of enzyme immunoassay (EIA) for chlamydia trachomatis (CT). Methods The diagnosis trials on EIA for CT were searched in the databases such as PubMed (1966 to Dec. 2011), The Cochrane Library (Issue 12, 2011), EMbase (1974 to Dec. 2011), CNKI (1994 to Dec. 2011), VIP (1989 to Dec. 2011) and CBM (1978 to Dec. 2011), meanwhile the manual and other retrieves were also conducted. Two reviewers evaluated the quality of the included trials according to the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS), and then meta-analysis was performed using Meta Analyst and RevMan 5.0 software. Results A total of 17 trials involving 9 461 participants were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the weighted sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and the area under SROC curve were 0.847 (95%CI 0.571 to 0.995), 0.964 (95%CI 0.890 to 0.994), 25.972 (95%CI 18.587 to 36.293), 0.156 (95%CI 0.114 to 0.212), 228.875 (95%CI 127.136 to 412.028), and 0.953, respectively. Conclusion EIA for CT has higher sensitivity and specificity, so EIA is recommended for preliminary screening CT and diagnosing the highly suspected cases or the patients without obvious signs and symptoms.
Objective To study the diagnostic value of MRI for pulmonary embolism, so as to provide information for clinical decision. Methods The trials about MRI in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism were searched in the following databases such as PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI and VIP. The data of the included trials were extracted, the methodological quality was evaluated in accordance with the quality assessment of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS), and then meta-analysis was conducted using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. The weighted sensitivity and specificity were aggregated, as well as the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve. Further, the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to evaluate the value of MRI in the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism. Results A total of 6 English articles involing 595 patients were included. The results of heterogeneity test revealed that there was statistical heterogeneity among the results of studies. According to the random effects model, the weighted sensitivity and specificity were 0.87 (95%CI 0.80 to 0.91), and 0.98 (95%CI 0.96 to 0.99), respectively; and the AUC was 0.988 7. Conclusion MRI is a better non-invasive method as a routine examination for pulmonary embolism. It shows fairly high sensitivity and specificity, and has a good clinical value.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the aberrant methylation of genes in stool for colorectal tumor. Methods Databases including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMbase, CBM, Web of Science, CNKI and WanFang Data were searched to collect the diagnostic trials on the aberrant methylation of genes in stool for colorectal tumor published from January 1990 to February 2012. QUADAS items were used to evaluate the quality of the included studies, and the meta-analysis was conducted using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. Results A total of 32 studies involving 3 951 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, for detecting the colorectal tumor, the weighted sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), area under the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve and Q were 92% (95%CI 91% to 93%), 63% (95%CI 61% to 65%), 20.79 (95%CI 15.13 to 28.57), 0.861 9 (SE=0.020 4), and 0.792 6 (SE=0.019 8), respectively. For detecting the colorectal cancer, the weighted sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were 91% (95%CI 89% to 92%), 75% (95%CI 73% to 77%), and 0.900 7, respectively. For detecting the colorectal adenoma, the weighted sensitivity, specificity and AUC were 79% (95%CI 76% to 83%), 75% (95%CI 73% to 77%), and 0.845 7, respectively. Conclusion With high sensitivity (92%) and moderate specificity (63%), aberrant methylation of genes in stool can be used as an optional noninvasive method for the diagnosis of colorectal tumor.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) for sepsis. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2012), PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched to collect the diagnostic tests on sTREM-1 for sepsis published before April 2012. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality. Then, Meta-Disc software (Version 1.5) was used to conduct analyses, draw the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, and calculate the area under curve and Q index. Results A total of 11 studies involving 1 615 patients were included. The value of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, area under of SROC curve, and Q index were 69%, 71%, 3.7, 0.34, 14.73, 0.875, and 0.805, respectively. Conclusion This meta-analysis shows that sTREM-1 as a single indicator has moderate accuracy for early diagnosing sepsis. It should be combined with other diagnostic indicators to further improve the sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosing sepsis.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of Wilson score for predicating difficult intubation. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP were searched to collect the studies about Wilson score for predicating difficult intubation published from inception to January 2013. Two reviewers independently screened the studies, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality by QUADAS. The analysis was conducted by using Meta-Disc 1.4 software, and the random effect model was chosen to calculate the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and the 95%CI. The summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was drawn and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated in order to comprehensively assess the total diagnostic accuracy of Wilson score for predicating difficult intubation. Results A total of 9 studies involving 6 506 subjects were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: the pooled sensitivity was 0.57 (95%CI 0.53 to 0.62), specificity was 0.89 (95%CI 0.88 to 0.90), positive likelihood ratio was 6.11 (95%CI 4.63 to 8.07), negative likelihood ratio was 0.52 (95%CI 0.41 to 0.66), diagnostic odds ratio was 12.76 (95%CI 8.60 to 18.93), and the AUC of SROC was 0.84. Conclusion Wilson score plays a role in predicating difficult intubation, while some other clinical indicators also need to be taken into consideration in its application.
Objective To systematically evaluate the diagnostic value of TERC gene on high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HGSIL) of the cervix. Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, and The Cochrane Library were searched by March 31, 2012. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, the literature was screened and the data were extracted. The quality was evaluated in accordance with the quality assessment tool for diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS) and the meta-analysis was conducted by using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. Result A total of 12 studies involving 7 894 cases were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratios of TERC gene on HGSIL of cervix were 0.81 (95%CI 0.80 to 0.82), 0.83 (95%CI 0.82 to 0.84), 17.37 (95%CI 8.77 to 34.41), respectively. Conclusions The diagnostic value of TERC gene were medium in diagnosing HGSIL of the cervix alone, and it can be used as an optional method in clinical diagnosis.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of ELISA using AgB in cystic echinococcosis (CE). Methods Such databases as PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, EBSCO, CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and MedaLink were retrieved on computer, and the relevant journals were also manually searched to collect the trials on ELISA using AgB in diagnosis of CE. The retrieval time was from inception to July 5th, 2012. Two reviewers independently screened the literature, extracted the data and assessed the quality according to QUADAS. Then the meta-analysis was conducted by using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. Results A total of 8 studies were included, and there were 562 CE patients diagnosed by gold standard, 434 suspected cases and 303 healthy people. There were no threshold effects among those 8 studies (the spearman’s correlation coefficient of log sensitivity to log 1-specificity was 0.527, P=0.400 1). The meta-analysis of DerSimonia-Laird showed that, the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio was 0.76 (95%CI 0.73 to 0.79), 0.84 (95%CI 0.82 to 0.86), 5.20 (95%CI 3.59 to 7.55), 0.26 (95%CI 0.18 to 0.35), 23.93 (95%CI 12.35 to 46.39), respectively. And the AUC of SROC was 0.889 7 (Q=0.820 4). Conclusion ELISA using natural AgB and rAgB has greater diagnostic value in detecting CE.
Objective To systematically review the diagnostic value of anti-HCV in serum tested by the third-generation enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA 3) in patients with hepatitis C. Methods Such databases as PubMed, MEDLINE, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 1, 2013), EBSCO, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically and comprehensively searched for relevant studies on the diagnostic value of anti-HCV in serum tested by ELISA 3 in patients with hepatitis C from inception to January 1st, 2013. Relevant journals were also manually retrieved. QUADAS items were used to evaluate the quality of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using Meta-Disc 1.4 software to calculate pooled effect size in sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPE), likelihood ratio (±LR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) and summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC curve), and area under the curve (AUC) as well. Results Finally, nine studies were included, involving 1 182 patients with hepatitis C diagnosed by the gold standard and 4 764 patients with non-hepatitis C diseases. The results of meta-analysis using random model showed (SEN=0.96, 95%CI 0.95 to 0.97; SPE=0.96, 95%CI 0.96 to 0.97; +LR=42.21, 95%CI 10.23 to 174.23; –LR=0.02, 95%CI 0.01 to 0.09; DOR=1 635.89, 95%CI 372.37 to 7 186.83; AUC=0.996 5). Conclusion Anti-HCV in serum tested by ELISA 3 has fairly high value in the diagnosis of patients with hepatitis C.
Objective To systematically review the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET dual time point scan in identifying benign and malignant lung lesions, in order to necessity and clinical value of dual time point scan. Methods We electronically searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, WanFang Data, CNKI and CBM for diagnostic tests on 18F-FDG PET dual time point scan vs. surgery or needle biopsy (gold standard) from January 1990 to November 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then statistical analysis was performed to calculate pooled effect sizes of sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPE), and area under the curve (AUC) of summary receiver operating characteristics (SROC), followed by sensitive analysis and subgroup analysis. Results A total of 19 domestic and foreign studies were totally included, involving 1 225 lesions. The results of meta-analysis showed SEN 0.82 (95%CI 0.79 to 0.85) and SPE 0.74 (95%CI 0.71 to 0.78) regarding 18F-FDG PET dual time point scan in identifying benign and malignant lung lesions. The results of sensitive analysis showed that: a) after eliminating studies in which tuberculosis in the benign lesions accounted for more than 50%, it showed pooled SEN 0.81 (95%CI 0.77 to 0.84), pooled SPE 0.76 (95%CI 0.72 to 0.80), and AUC 0.850 3; b) after eliminating studies in which sample size was less than 50 cases, it showed pooled SEN 0.78 (95%CI 0.74 to 0.82), pooled SPE 0.78 (95%CI 0.74 to 0.82), and AUC 0.814 1; and c) after eliminating studies in which iSUV was more than 2.5, it showed pooled SEN 0.67 (95%CI 0.55 to 0.78), pooled SPE 0.66 (95%CI 0.54 to 0.77), and AUC 0.779 8. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET dual time point scan has intermediate value in identifying benign and malignant lung lesions, which is almost as good as single time point scan, so it’s unnecessary to apply it as a clinical routine test.
Based on the guidelines of the diagnostic test systematic review, this study elaborated the statistical processing of the pooling of data detailed in the systematic review of diagnostic test, discussed the methods for identification and handling of the heterogeneity, evaluated the advantages and disadvantages of the index of the accuracy in diagnostic tests, and proposed the identification method of the publication bias. It also took the data from the published article entitled “Diagnostic Value of ProGRP and NSE for Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis” as an example for analysis and illustration, which presented clearly the data processing and interpretation of the systematic review of diagnostic test, in order to provide references for clinical researchers to study and conduct the systematic review of diagnostic test.