The comparative diagnostic test accuracy (CDTA) study is an important part of diagnostic test accuracy, which aims to compare the accuracy of two or more index tests in the same study. With the development of CDTA studies and the methodology of systematic reviews, the number of CDTA systematic reviews has grown year by year and has provided evidence to support clinical decision-making. Compared with systematic review of single diagnostic test accuracy, the CDTA systematic review has its own unique features, especially in data extraction, risk of bias, and statistical analysis. This paper introduced the steps and precautions for writing a CDTA systematic review to provide references for CDTA systematic reviewers.
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.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic value of interferon-gamma release assay (TB-IGRA) for tuberculosis in the Tibetan. MethodsFrom January 2014 to December 2014, suspected Tibetan tuberculosis patients were enrolled from AVIC 363 Hospital and underwent TB-IGRA test. All patients were also underwent smear test for Mycobacteria. The diagnostic value of TB-IGRA test for Tibetan TB patients was analyzed. ResultsA total of 77 suspected Tibetan tuberculosis patients were included. According to the diagnostic criteria, of the 77 suspected patients, 50 were diagnosed as TB patients, and 27 were diagnosed as not-TB patients. The sensitivity and specificity of TB-IGRA test was 86% and 81.5%. While the sensitivity and specificity of smear test were 22% and 100%, respectively. ConclusionThe TB-IGRA test is superior to smear test, and is the fast and sensitivity test for diagnosing Tibetan TB patients.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of the combined test of serum CA153, CA125 and CEA in detection of breast cancer. MethodsClinical diagnostic tests about CA153, CA125 and CEA in patients with breast cancer were retrieved in PubMed, EMbase, CBM, The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2014), CNKI, VIP, and WanFang Data from January 1st, 2004 to April 16st, 2014. References of included literature were also retrieved. Literature screening according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, data extraction and methodological quality assessment were completed by two reviewers independently. Meta-analysis was then conducted using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. ResultsA total of 21 studies involving 4 263 subjects were enrolled. In all studies, the results of meta-analysis indicated that:the DOR, AUC and Q index of the single test (CA153) were 18.71 (95%CI 11.62 to 30.11), 0.858 9, and 0.789 7; while those of the combined test (CA153, CA125 and CEA) were 37.95 (95%CI 21.97 to 65.57), 0.959 1, 0.903 1. Compared with the single test, the diagnostic efficacy of the combined test was higher (Z=3.675, P=0.001 5). ConclusionCompared with the detection of CA153 alone, the combined detection of CA125, CA153 and CEA has higher efficacy and accuracy in the diagnosis of breast cancer.
Objective To evaluate the diagnosis value of purified protein derivative (PPD) antibody tests in childhood tuberculosis. Methods We reviewed 126 cases of hospitalization children tested body fluid PPD antibody by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Twenty-two them were diagnosed with tuberculosis. We determined the sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic likelihood ratio, positive prognostic value, negative prognostic value, post-test probability, respectively. Results The following accuracy statistics for the PPD body liquid antibody tests in this study: sensitivity, 45.45%; specificity, 91.35%; diagnostic likelihood ratio positive, 5.25; diagnostic likelihood ratio negative, 0.597; positive predictive value, 52.63%; negative predictive value, 88.79% and post-test probability, 48.09% in 15% of prevalence. Conclusion This study shows that body fluid PPD tests have limited value for diagnosis of tuberculosis in pediatric tuberculosis. Clinic physicians should be wary of the positive results of body fluid PPD antibody tests. The value of diagnosis is related to prevalence of tuberculosis in the specific hospital.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of anti-C1q antibodies for lupus nephritis (LN) in Chinese population. MethodsWe electronically searched databases including PubMed, EMbase, CNKI, The Cochrane Library, VIP and WanFang Data for diagnostic accuracy studies of anti-C1q antibodies for LN in Chinese population from inception to 1st March, 2015. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk bias of included studies by QUADAS tool. Then, meta-analysis was performed by Meta-DiSc 1.4 software and Stata 11.0 software. ResultsA total of 11 studies involving 1 084 systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients were included. Among them, 474 patients were LN. The results of meta-analysis showed that:the pooled sensitivity, specificity, diagnostic odds ratio, positive likelihood ratio, and negative likelihood ratio of anti-C1q in the diagnosis of LN were 0.67 (95%CI 0.63 to 0.71), 0.69 (95%CI 0.65 to 0.74), 5.09 (95%CI 3.29 to 7.85), 2.18 (95%CI 1.75 to 2.72), and 0.48 (95%CI 0.39 to 0.60), respectively. The area under the curve (AUC) of SROC was 0.749 6 and the Q index value was 0.693 1. The average missed diagnosis rate was 33.0% and the misdiagnosis rate was 31.0%. ConclusionCurrent evidence indicates that anti-C1q antibodies may have some value in the diagnosis of LN. Because of the high missed diagnosis rate and the misdiagnosis rate, it could not be used to diagnose LN alone, and it only could be used as an adjuvant diagnostic indicator for LN. Due to the limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are needed to verify the above conclusion.
This study comprehensively reviews the theoretical foundations, historical development, practical applications, and potential challenges of network meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA-NMA). DTA-NMA, as a method for evaluating and comparing the accuracy of different diagnostic tests, demonstrates its unique value in improving diagnostic accuracy and optimizing treatment strategies by integrating direct and indirect evidence, providing crucial support for clinical decision-making. However, despite significant progress in methodology and practice, DTA-NMA still faces multiple challenges in implementation, including enhancing research transparency, integrating diverse evidence, accurately assessing bias risks, presenting and interpreting results, and evaluating evidence quality. In the future, further refinement of reporting standards and evidence grading specific to DTA-NMA research will be crucial for the development of this field, facilitating evidence-based efficient medical decision-making and ultimately improving patient outcomes. This study aims to provide scholars conducting DTA-NMA research with reflection and insights to promote the steady development of this field.
Objective To systematically review the value of ultrasound in the diagnosis of fracture of the distal radius and ulna for providing evidence for clinical diagnosis. MethodsWe searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 7, 2016), CNKI, CBM and WanFang Data databases for studies about ultrasound in the diagnosis of fracture of the distal radius and ulna from inception to August 1st, 2016. Two reviewers independently screened literatures according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the risk of bias of included studies by using the QUADAS-2 (Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2) tool, and then meta-analysis was performed by using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. ResultsA total of 16 articles involving 1 182 patients and 631 fractures were included. The results of heterogeneity test revealed that there was statistical heterogeneity among the results of studies, thus, random effects model was used for meta-analysis. The results of meta-analysis showed that the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnosis odds ratio for ultrasound diagnosis fracture of the distal radius and ulna were 0.95 (95%CI 0.94 to 0.97), 0.92 (95%CI 0.89 to 0.94), 9.98 (95%CI 5.20 to 19.15), 0.07 (95%CI 0.04 to 0.13), 187.94 (95%CI 65.67 to 537.84), respectively. The area under the SROC curve was 0.976 4. ConclusionUltrasound is a useful non-invasive method as a routine examination for fracture of the distal radius and ulna. Due to the limited quality and quantity of included studies, the above conclusion is needed to be validated by more high-quality studies.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of all diagnostic tests detecting the ethambutol resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods PubMed, EMbase, Chinese Biomedical Database (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journals Full-Text Database (CSJD), and Chinese Journal Full-text Database (CJFD) were searched, and QUADAS items were used to evaluate the quality of included studies. Meta-disc software was used to handle data from included studies. Such index as sensitivity, specificity, and SROC were applied to assess the diagnostic value of individual diagnostic test. Results Nine studies were included. The results of meta-analyses showed that compared with proportion method, the summary sensitivity, summary specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and SROC area under curve of a nitrate reductase assay were 92%, 99%, 30.50, 0.13, and 0.975 2, respectively, while compared with BACTEC 460 TB, the above mentioned indexes of BACTEC MGIT 960 System were 92%, 99%, 6.27, 0.11, and 0.9, respectively. Bacteriophage biological amplification method revealed relative good analysis effectiveness on MB/BacT. Conclusion According to the results, it is recommended that nitrate reductase assay can replace proportion method as screening test of ethambutol resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and BACTEC MGIT 960 System can replace BACTEC 460 as final diagnostic test of ethambutol resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.