The use of Meta-analysis in the evaluation on diagnostic tests.

Author: Yun-xia LIU ¹ ; Jie-zhen WANG ; Chun-kun PANG ; Jian-ping LIU
Author Information

1. Institute of Evidence Based Medicine, The Second Hospital, School of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250033, China.
Publication Type:Journal Article
MeSH: Diagnostic Tests, Routine; standards; Evaluation Studies as Topic; Fatty Liver; diagnosis; diagnostic imaging; Humans; Liver; diagnostic imaging; Predictive Value of Tests; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography
From: Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2005;26(4):294-296
CountryChina
Language:Chinese
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo introduce Meta-analysis in evaluating diagnostic tests.
METHODAdjusted SROC method was used in assessing 7 diagnostic tests on fatty liver.
RESULTSThe pooled sensitivity and specificity of type B ultrasonography were 0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.87-0.92] and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92-0.96) respectively while the Q value was 0.90 by adjusted SROC method. The results indicated that the diagnostic value of type B ultrasonography were high, thus could be regarded as an effective method for fatty liver diagnosis.
CONCLUSIONMeta-analysis on evaluating diagnostic tests could be used to assess the diagnostic test to increase the power of conclusion, and to improves its reliability.