Abstract
BackgroundGraphical displays of results allow researchers to summarise and communicate the key findings of their study. Diagnostic information should be presented in an easily interpretable way, which conveys both test characteristics (diagnostic accuracy) and the potential for use in clinical practice (predictive value).MethodsWe discuss the types of graphical display commonly encountered in primary diagnostic accuracy studies and systematic reviews of such studies, and systematically review the use of graphical displays in recent diagnostic primary studies and systematic reviews.ResultsWe identified 57 primary studies and 49 systematic reviews. Fifty-six percent of primary studies and 53% of systematic reviews used graphical displays to present results. Dot-plot or box-and- whisker plots were the most commonly used graph in primary studies and were included in 22 (39%) studies. ROC plots were the most common type of plot included in systematic reviews and were included in 22 (45%) reviews. One primary study and five systematic reviews included a probability-modifying plot.ConclusionGraphical displays are currently underused in primary diagnostic accuracy studies and systematic reviews of such studies. Diagnostic accuracy studies need to include multiple types of graphic in order to provide both a detailed overview of the results (diagnostic accuracy) and to communicate information that can be used to inform clinical practice (predictive value). Work is required to improve graphical displays, to better communicate the utility of a test in clinical practice and the implications of test results for individual patients.
Highlights
Graphical displays of results allow researchers to summarise and communicate the key findings of their study
Readers of a research report evaluating a diagnostic test may wish to assess the test's characteristics or evaluate the impact that its use has on diagnostic decisions for individual patients
We systematically reviewed how graphical displays are currently incorporated in studies of test performance
Summary
Graphical displays of results allow researchers to summarise and communicate the key findings of their study. Diagnostic information should be presented in an interpretable way, which conveys both test characteristics (diagnostic accuracy) and the potential for use in clinical practice (predictive value). Graphical displays of results of test accuracy studies allow researchers to summarise and communicate the key findings of their study. BMC Medical Research Methodology 2008, 8:20 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2288/8/20 play commonly encountered in primary diagnostic accuracy studies and systematic reviews of such studies, and systematically review the use of graphical displays in recent diagnostic systematic reviews and primary studies. We used data from a study of the biochemical tumour marker CA-19-9 antigen to diagnose pancreatic cancer to construct these graphs [1]
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