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. 2002 Jul 3:2:9.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2288-2-9.

Conducting systematic reviews of diagnostic studies: didactic guidelines

Walter L Devillé  1 , Frank Buntinx, Lex M Bouter, Victor M Montori, Henrica C W de Vet, Danielle A W M van der Windt, P Dick Bezemer
Affiliations

Conducting systematic reviews of diagnostic studies: didactic guidelines

Walter L Devillé et al. BMC Med Res Methodol. .

Abstract

Background: Although guidelines for critical appraisal of diagnostic research and meta-analyses have already been published, these may be difficult to understand for clinical researchers or do not provide enough detailed information.

Methods: Development of guidelines based on a systematic review of the evidence in reports of systematic searches of the literature for diagnostic research, of methodological criteria to evaluate diagnostic research, of methods for statistical pooling of data on diagnostic accuracy, and of methods for exploring heterogeneity.

Results: Guidelines for conducting diagnostic systematic reviews are presented in a stepwise fashion and are followed by comments providing further information. Examples are given using the results of two systematic reviews on the accuracy of the urine dipstick in the diagnosis of urinary tract infections, and on the accuracy of the straight-leg-raising test in the diagnosis of intervertebral disc hernia.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Point estimates (with confidence limits) of respectively sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio of 11 studies on the validity of the test of Lasègue for the diagnosis of disc hernia in low back pain. Study 6 is an outlier
Figure 2
Figure 2
Galbraith plot of 11 studies on the validity of the test of Lasègue for the diagnosis of disc hernia in low back pain. Study 6 is an outlier.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Summary ROC curves of nitrites in urine dipsticks for the diagnosis of bacteriuria and urinary tract infections in various homogeneous subgroups of patient populations.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Sub-group analyses of the accuracy of the Lasègue's test for the diagnosis of disc hernia in low back pain. Odds ratios are pooled per sub-group.
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