ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic elastography in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer.MethodsWe electronically searched the databases including The Cochrane Library, PubMed, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP, MedaLink and CBM for studies about diagnostic value of the ultrasonographic elastography in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer from inception to October 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using MetaDisc 1.4 software.ResultsA total of 9 studies involving 735 lymph nodes were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that, the pooled sensitivity, pooled specificity, pooled positive likelihood ratio, pooled negative likelihood ratio and DOR were 0.82 (95%CI 0.78 to 0.86), 0.76 (95%CI 0.72 to 0.81), 3.32 (95%CI 2.57 to 4.27), 0.25 (95%CI 0.20 to 0.31), and 14.77 (95%CI 10.20 to 21.38), respectively. The AUC of the SROC curve was 0.8741.ConclusionUltrasonographic elastography has high sensitivity and specificity in the differential diagnosis of axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer, which indicates that it can be used to diagnosis axillary lymph nodes in breast cancer.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of nuchal translucency (NT) measurement in the first trimester of pregnancy as a marker for congenital heart defects (CHD). MethodsFrom January 2010 to December 2012, middle-low risk pregnant women were prospectively evaluated at the Department of Ultrasound in West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University about Nuchal translucency and echocardiography. ResultsNT measurements was performed in 2 443 women from 2 764 pregnancy women, and a total of 2 125 case could be used in data analysis. NT measurement >2.5 mm was found in 68 fetuses, and 11 cases were diagnosed as CHD (prevalence 5.2/1 000). The sensitivity and specificity of NT measurement >2.5 mm for CHD were 45.5% and 87%, respectively. ConclusionIncreasing nuchal translucency might increase the risk of CHD in fetuses, and could be used as a method to diagnosis CHD.
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.
With the development of artificial intelligence, machine learning has been widely used in diagnosis of diseases. It is crucial to conduct diagnostic test accuracy studies and evaluate the performance of models reasonably to improve the accuracy of diagnosis. For machine learning-based diagnostic test accuracy studies, this paper introduces the principles of study design in the aspects of target conditions, selection of participants, diagnostic tests, reference standards and ethics.
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.
The PRISMA-DTA Statement is an expanded checklist of the original PRISMA, which is aimed at improving the reporting quality of the systematic review or meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies. It was published on JAMA in January 2018. This paper explained it and provided reference for improving the reporting quality of systematic review/meta-analysis of DTA for Chinese authors.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the accuracy of the global leadership initiative on malnutrition (GLIM) in screening patients with cancer malnutrition. MethodsThe PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, CNKI, WanFang Data, SinoMed, and VIP databases were electronically searched to collect diagnostic tests related to the objectives from January 2019 to March 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of the included studies. Meta-analysis was then performed using Stata 15.0 software. ResultsA total of 12 studies were included. The results of the meta-analysis showed that GLIM criteria for the diagnosis of malnutrition had a sensitivity of 0.69 (95%CI 0.63 to 0.76), specificity of 0.90 (95%CI 0.83 to 0.95), positive likelihood ratio of 7.18 (95%CI 4.17 to 12.35), negative likelihood ratio of 0.34 (95%CI 0.28 to 0.41), diagnostic odds ratio of 21.21 (95%CI 11.96 to 37.62), and area under the curve of 0.84 (95%CI 0.80 to 0.87). ConclusionCurrent evidence suggests that the GLIM criteria have diagnostic value as a tool for malnutrition in cancer patients, with moderate overall diagnostic efficacy.
Objective To assess the quality of current domestic literature about enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for invasive aspergillosis diagnosis by detecting Aspergillus galactomannan (GM) antigen, and to analyze the sources of bias and variability, as well as the diagnostic ability of different thresholds. Methods Both computer-based online search and manual retrieval were employed to identify relevant articles. The statistical information and quality of science were assessed and classified. The data were analyzed using Meta Disc 1.4 software. The best cutoff value for defining a positive test result was selected by summarizing the following statistical indicators as sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio (LR) and summary receiver operating characteristic curve (SROC curve), and by calculating the area under the curve (AUC) as well. Results A total of 20 studies among 2658 literatures were included in accordance with the inclusion criteria, and were divided into different groups based on different cutoff values. Though heterogeneity tests showed no threshold effect, and there were other reasons of heterogeneity. So the data were analyzed by random effects model. The results showed that, compared with other groups, the one with cutoff value set at 0.7 (AUC=0.9456, Q= 0.884 6) showed the best accuracy in diagnosing. Conclusion ELISA detection of Aspergillus GM antigen with cutoff value set at 0.7 has important significance in the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis, and it can be conducive to reduce mortality in patients at high risk for Aspergillus infection.