Pooled Estimates Of Specificity Research Articles

Prediction of the treatment response and local failure of patients with brain metastasis treated with stereotactic radiosurgery using machine learning: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) effectively treats brain metastases. It can provide local control, symptom relief, and improved survival rates, but it poses challenges in selecting optimal candidates, determining dose and fractionation, monitoring for toxicity, and integrating with other modalities. Practical tools to predict patient outcomes are also needed. Machine learning (ML) is currently used to predict treatment outcomes. We aim to investigate the accuracy of ML in predicting treatment response and local failure of brain metastasis treated with SRS. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science (WoS), and Embase were searched until April 16th, which was repeated on October 17th, 2023 to find possible relevant papers. The study preparation adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. The statistical analysis was performed by the MIDAS package of STATA v.17. A total of 17 articles were reviewed, of which seven and eleven were related to the clinical use of ML in predicting local failure and treatment response. The ML algorithms showed sensitivity and specificity of 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84-0.93) and 0.87 (95% CI: 0.81-0.92) for predicting treatment response. The positive likelihood ratio was 7.1 (95% CI: 4.5-11.1), the negative likelihood ratio was 0.13 (95% CI: 0.08-0.19), and the diagnostic odds ratio was 56 (95% CI: 25-125). Moreover, the pooled estimates for sensitivity and specificity of ML algorithms for predicting local failure were 0.93 (95% CI: 0.76-0.98) and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.53-0.94). The positive likelihood ratio was 4.7 (95% CI: 1.6-14.0), the negative likelihood ratio was 0.09 (95% CI: 0.02-0.39), and the diagnostic odds ratio was 53 (95% CI: 5-606). ML holds promise in predicting treatment response and local failure in brain metastasis patients receiving SRS. However, further studies and improvements in the treatment process can refine the models and effectively integrate them into clinical practice.

Lever sign test for anterior cruciate ligament injuries: a diagnostic meta-analysis

BackgroundSports-related ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries are frequent. Successful management requires early diagnosis and treatment. One of the clinical tests used to identify ACL damage is the lever sign test. This meta-analysis aimed to assess the lever sign test's diagnostic efficacy for ACL injuries.MethodsAn extensive investigation of the Cochrane Library, Embase, and PubMed databases was conducted until April 2023. Studies assessing the lever sign test's diagnostic efficacy for ACL injuries were also included. A bivariate random-effects model was employed to acquire the pooled estimates of diagnostic odds ratios, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, sensitivity, and curves of the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC).ResultsThe meta-analysis comprised twelve investigations with a total of 1365 individuals. The lever sign test's combined sensitivity and specificity for the purpose of diagnosing injuries to the ACL were 0.810 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.686–0.893) and 0.784 (95% CI 0.583–0.904), respectively. The positive and negative likelihood ratios were 3.148 (95% CI 1.784–5.553) and 0.210 (95% CI 0.084–0.528), respectively. The study revealed a diagnostic odds ratio of 17.656, with a 95% CI ranging from 4.800 to 64.951. The SROC curve's area was determined to be 0.912 (95% CI 0.857–0.967).ConclusionWith high specificity and sensitivity, the lever sign test is a reliable diagnostic modality for ACL injuries. However, the test should be used in combination with other diagnostic tests to increase the accuracy of the diagnosis. Further investigations are warranted to assess the clinical practicability of the lever sign test in various populations and settings.

Comparison of CT and MRI in diagnosing occult hip fracture: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

To compare the diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting occult hip fractures. We conducted a systematic literature review and identified 12 articles involving 1,819 participants for inclusion. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 tool. Publication bias was assessed with the Deek funnel plot asymmetry test. We conducted a meta-analysis using a random-effects model to derive pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, and the diagnostic odds ratio, along with their 95% confidence intervals. A summary receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to illustrate the overall diagnostic accuracy. The methodological quality of the included studies was high, with minimal concerns about the applicability of the tests in clinical settings. Both CT and MRI showed good diagnostic efficacy for occult hip fractures. However, MRI consistently outperformed CT, exhibiting significantly higher sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios, thereby providing superior accuracy in confirming or excluding occult fractures. Meta-regression analysis revealed that sequence parameters and sample size significantly influenced the differences in sensitivity and specificity between CT and MRI. Both CT and MRI are effective modalities for detecting occult hip fractures, with MRI demonstrating greater diagnostic accuracy. This meta-analysis supports the use of MRI when higher sensitivity and specificity are required in clinical practice.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Conventional Ultrasound (US) Compared to Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS) for Diagnosing Liver Tumours: A Systematic Review and Meta -analysis

The accurate diagnosis of liver tumours is essential for effective treatment. This study is aimed at comparing the diagnostic accuracy of conventional ultrasound (US) and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) for detecting and characterizing liver tumours. There is still an unsolved problem regarding differentiation of benign and malignant liver tumours. Thus, an evaluation of the overall sensitivity and specificity of conventional US and CEUS for diagnosing benign and malignant liver tumours is presented in this systematic literature review and meta-analysis. This study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). A search of relevant databases including Scopus, PubMed, and Cochrane Library was conducted from inception to March 31, 2023 using specific keywords. Among the studies included, diagnostic performance was assessed and data was extracted. Average weighted was carried out to calculate the pooled estimates of overall sensitivity and specificity as well as 95% confidence interval (95% CI) by using Wilson score interval of the sensitivity and specificity of the studies. The selected studies were evaluated for reliability using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Performance Studies (QUADAS-2). A total of 11 studies involving 1605 patients were included in the study, with publication years ranging from 2022 to 2004. A comparison of conventional US and CEUS showed that CEUS demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for diagnosing liver tumours. Based on the pooled estimation of diagnostic accuracy (95% CI), liver tumour diagnosis for differentiation of benign and malignant tumours (CEUS: sensitivity: 0.89 [0.87-0.90], specificity: 0.80 [0.78-0.82] and conventional US: sensitivity: 0.51 [0.49-0.53], specificity: 0.44 [0.42-0.53]). It is clear from this study that CEUS has a significant role to play in clinical practice. These results indicate its value in detecting and diagnosing liver tumours, resulting in better outcomes for patients

Machine Learning Models for Blood Glucose Level Prediction in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.

Machine learning (ML) models provide more choices to patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) to more properly manage blood glucose (BG) levels. However, because of numerous types of ML algorithms, choosing an appropriate model is vitally important. In a systematic review and network meta-analysis, this study aimed to comprehensively assess the performance of ML models in predicting BG levels. In addition, we assessed ML models used to detect and predict adverse BG (hypoglycemia) events by calculating pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity. PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Explore databases were systematically searched for studies on predicting BG levels and predicting or detecting adverse BG events using ML models, from inception to November 2022. Studies that assessed the performance of different ML models in predicting or detecting BG levels or adverse BG events of patients with DM were included. Studies with no derivation or performance metrics of ML models were excluded. The Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool was applied to assess the quality of included studies. Primary outcomes were the relative ranking of ML models for predicting BG levels in different prediction horizons (PHs) and pooled estimates of the sensitivity and specificity of ML models in detecting or predicting adverse BG events. In total, 46 eligible studies were included for meta-analysis. Regarding ML models for predicting BG levels, the means of the absolute root mean square error (RMSE) in a PH of 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes were 18.88 (SD 19.71), 21.40 (SD 12.56), 21.27 (SD 5.17), and 30.01 (SD 7.23) mg/dL, respectively. The neural network model (NNM) showed the highest relative performance in different PHs. Furthermore, the pooled estimates of the positive likelihood ratio and the negative likelihood ratio of ML models were 8.3 (95% CI 5.7-12.0) and 0.31 (95% CI 0.22-0.44), respectively, for predicting hypoglycemia and 2.4 (95% CI 1.6-3.7) and 0.37 (95% CI 0.29-0.46), respectively, for detecting hypoglycemia. Statistically significant high heterogeneity was detected in all subgroups, with different sources of heterogeneity. For predicting precise BG levels, the RMSE increases with a rise in the PH, and the NNM shows the highest relative performance among all the ML models. Meanwhile, current ML models have sufficient ability to predict adverse BG events, while their ability to detect adverse BG events needs to be enhanced. PROSPERO CRD42022375250; https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?RecordID=375250.

The diagnostic utility of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution computed tomography for cholesteatoma: A meta-analysis.

The purpose of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficiency of high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) in guiding the diagnosis of middle ear cholesteatoma in clinical practice. Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science were searched for studies that evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of HRCT or DWI in detecting middle ear cholesteatoma. A random-effects model was used to calculate and summarize the pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratios. Postoperative pathological results were considered as the diagnostic gold standard for middle ear cholesteatoma. Fourteen published articles (860 patients) met the inclusion criteria. The sensitivity and specificity of DWI when diagnosing cholesteatoma (regardless of type) were 0.88 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-0.93) and 0.93 (95% CI, 0.86-0.97), respectively, while those of HRCT were 0.68 (95% CI, 0.57-0.77) and 0.78 (95% CI, 0.60-0.90), respectively. Notably, the sensitivity and specificity levels of DWI were similar to those of HRCT (p=.1178 for sensitivity, p=.2144 for specificity; pair-sampled t tests). The sensitivity and specificity of DWI or HRCT for the diagnosis of primary cholesteatoma were 0.78 (95% CI, 0.65-0.88) and 0.84 (95% CI, 0.69-0.93), respectively, while that for recurrent cholesteatoma were 0.93 (95% CI, 0.61-0.99) and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.82-0.98), respectively. DWI and HRCT have similar levels of high sensitivity and specificity in detecting various cholesteatomas. Also, the diagnostic efficiency of HRCT or DWI for recurrent cholesteatoma is identical to that of primary cholesteatoma. Therefore, HRCT may be used in clinical settings to reduce the use of DWI and save clinical resources. Data on the use of diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and high-resolution computed tomography in the diagnosis of cholesteatoma were obtained through a literature search. They were analyzed to guide the clinical diagnosis and treatment of cholesteatoma. NA.

Xpert MTB/RIF in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal Tuberculous Lymphadenitis by Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Needle Aspiration Techniques: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Lymphadenopathy is one of the most prevalent clinical manifestations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. Endosonography is the recommended technique in the diagnostic work-up of mediastinal lymphadenopathies. Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a self-contained cartridge-based fully automated DNA testing platform which can accurately detect both tuberculosis and mycobacterial resistance to rifampicin. A few studies assessed its accuracy for mediastinal lymph node aspirates collected using endosonography. A systematic review of observational studies was performed to provide a pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity of Xpert MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis using endoscopic ultrasound-guided needle aspiration techniques. Methods: A search of the scientific evidence was carried out using PubMed, Embase, and Scopus. Articles describing observational studies on Xpert MTB/RIF in the diagnosis of mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis using endoscopic ultrasound-guided needle aspiration techniques were selected. Results: Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. The overall pooled sensitivity was 61% (95% CI = 55–68%; I² = 66.3%; p = 0.004), overall pooled specificity was 89% (95% CI = 85–91%; I² = 90.1%; p < 0.0001). Area under the sROC curve was 0.68. Only one study reported data on rifampin resistance detection and showed a sensitivity of 83.3% and a specificity of 16%. Conclusions: Xpert MTB/RIF shows a good accuracy in the diagnosis of mediastinal mycobacterial lymphadenitis by endosonographic needle aspiration techniques. It should be always recommended for suspected mediastinal tuberculosis.

Accuracy of Diagnostic Tests for Detecting Schistosoma mansoni and S. haematobium in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Schistosomiasis is causing high morbidity and significant mortality in endemic areas. Kato-Katz stool examination and urine filtration techniques are the conventional methods for the detection of intestinal and urinary schistosomiasis. The most appropriate diagnostic tools for the detection of schistosomiasis especially in low-prevalence settings should be used. Therefore, this study is aimed at investigating the diagnostic accuracy of S. mansoni and S. haematobium diagnostic tools in sub-Saharan Africa. Electronic databases such as PubMed, PubMed Central/Medline, HINARI, Scopus, EMBASE, Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library were reviewed. The pooled estimates and heterogeneity were determined using Midas in Stata 14.0. The diagnostic accuracy of index tests was compared using the hierarchical summary of the receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) curve in Stata 14.0. Twenty-four studies consisting of 12,370 individuals were tested to evaluate the accuracy of antigen, antibody, and molecular test methods for the detection of S. mansoni and S. haematobium. The pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity of CCA was 88% (95% CI: 83-92) and 72 (95% CI: 62-80), respectively, when it is compared with parasitological stool examination for S. mansoni detection. On the other hand, ELISA showed a pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity of 95% (95% CI: 93-96) and 35% (95% CI: 21-52), respectively, for the examination of S. mansoni using stool examination as a reference test. With regard to S. haematobium, the pooled estimate of sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction was 97% (95% CI: 78-100) and 94% (95% CI: 74-99), respectively. Moreover, the sensitivity and specificity of urine CCA vary between 41-80% and 55-91%, respectively, compared to urine microscopy. The effort of schistosomiasis elimination requires accurate case identification especially in low-intensity infections. This study showed that CCA had the highest sensitivity and moderate specificity for the diagnosis of S. mansoni. Similarly, the sensitivity of ELISA was excellent, but its specificity was low. The diagnostic accuracy of PCR for the detection of S. haematobium was excellent compared to urine microscopic examination.

Diagnostic accuracy of palpation and ultrasonography for diagnosing infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) is a well-known disease, there is no systematic review regarding the optimal diagnostic strategy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to obtain diagnostic accuracy of all methods to diagnose IHPS. According to the Preferred Reported Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines, we searched MEDLINE and Embase to identify studies reporting sensitivity and specificity of all methods used to diagnose IHPS. Inclusion criteria were infants with suspicion of/or diagnosed with IHPS who underwent pyloromyotomy or had clinical follow-up. A random-effects model was used to obtain pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. After screening 5364 studies, we included 43 studies with in total 6085 infants (n = 4241 IHPS; n = 1844 controls). The diagnostic sensitivity of palpation ranged from 10.0 to 93.4% and decreased over time. Different parameters for ultrasonography were found. Most used parameters were pyloric muscle thickness (PMT) ≥ 3 mm (pooled sensitivity 97.6% and specificity 98.8%), PMT ≥ 4 mm (pooled sensitivity 94.0% and specificity 98.0%) or a combination of PMT ≥ 4 mm and/or pyloric canal length ≥16 mm (pooled sensitivity 94.0% and specificity 91.7%). The AUC showed high diagnostic accuracy (0.997, 0.966 and 0.981 respectively), but large heterogeneity exists. Due to the large differences in cut-off values no meta-analysis could be conducted for pyloric canal length and pyloric diameter. Palpation has limited sensitivity in diagnosing IHPS. We showed that ultrasonography has highest diagnostic accuracy to diagnose IHPS and we advise to use PMT ≥ 3 mm as cut-off. This is the first systematic review and meta-analysis on diagnosing IHPS, which summarizes the available literature and may be used as a guideline.

Accuracy of rapid point-of-care antigen-based diagnostics for SARS-CoV-2: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis with meta-regression analyzing influencing factors.

Comprehensive information about the accuracy of antigen rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs) for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is essential to guide public health decision makers in choosing the best tests and testing policies. In August 2021, we published a systematic review and meta-analysis about the accuracy of Ag-RDTs. We now update this work and analyze the factors influencing test sensitivity in further detail. We registered the review on PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020225140). We systematically searched preprint and peer-reviewed databases for publications evaluating the accuracy of Ag-RDTs for SARS-CoV-2 until August 31, 2021. Descriptive analyses of all studies were performed, and when more than 4 studies were available, a random-effects meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled sensitivity and specificity with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing as a reference. To evaluate factors influencing test sensitivity, we performed 3 different analyses using multivariable mixed-effects meta-regression models. We included 194 studies with 221,878 Ag-RDTs performed. Overall, the pooled estimates of Ag-RDT sensitivity and specificity were 72.0% (95% confidence interval [CI] 69.8 to 74.2) and 98.9% (95% CI 98.6 to 99.1). When manufacturer instructions were followed, sensitivity increased to 76.3% (95% CI 73.7 to 78.7). Sensitivity was markedly better on samples with lower RT-PCR cycle threshold (Ct) values (97.9% [95% CI 96.9 to 98.9] and 90.6% [95% CI 88.3 to 93.0] for Ct-values <20 and <25, compared to 54.4% [95% CI 47.3 to 61.5] and 18.7% [95% CI 13.9 to 23.4] for Ct-values ≥25 and ≥30) and was estimated to increase by 2.9 percentage points (95% CI 1.7 to 4.0) for every unit decrease in mean Ct-value when adjusting for testing procedure and patients' symptom status. Concordantly, we found the mean Ct-value to be lower for true positive (22.2 [95% CI 21.5 to 22.8]) compared to false negative (30.4 [95% CI 29.7 to 31.1]) results. Testing in the first week from symptom onset resulted in substantially higher sensitivity (81.9% [95% CI 77.7 to 85.5]) compared to testing after 1 week (51.8%, 95% CI 41.5 to 61.9). Similarly, sensitivity was higher in symptomatic (76.2% [95% CI 73.3 to 78.9]) compared to asymptomatic (56.8% [95% CI 50.9 to 62.4]) persons. However, both effects were mainly driven by the Ct-value of the sample. With regards to sample type, highest sensitivity was found for nasopharyngeal (NP) and combined NP/oropharyngeal samples (70.8% [95% CI 68.3 to 73.2]), as well as in anterior nasal/mid-turbinate samples (77.3% [95% CI 73.0 to 81.0]). Our analysis was limited by the included studies' heterogeneity in viral load assessment and sample origination. Ag-RDTs detect most of the individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2, and almost all (>90%) when high viral loads are present. With viral load, as estimated by Ct-value, being the most influential factor on their sensitivity, they are especially useful to detect persons with high viral load who are most likely to transmit the virus. To further quantify the effects of other factors influencing test sensitivity, standardization of clinical accuracy studies and access to patient level Ct-values and duration of symptoms are needed.

Accuracy of non-physician health workers in respiratory rate measurement to identify paediatric pneumonia in low- and middle-income countries: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundNon-physician health workers play an important role in identifying and treating pneumonia in children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this systematic review, we summarized the evidence on whether health workers can accurately measure respiratory rate (RR) and identify fast breathing to diagnose pneumonia in children under five years of age.MethodsWe searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus from January 1990 to August 2020 without any language restrictions. Reference lists of included studies were also screened for additional records. Studies evaluating the performance of health workers in measuring RR and/or identifying fast breathing compared to a reference standard were included. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the QUADAS-2 tool. A meta-analysis was conducted to report pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity. Hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic curve (HSROC) models were fitted, and subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed to examine the effects of study variables.ResultsWe included 16 studies, eight of which reported the agreement in RR count between health workers and a reference standard. The median agreements were 39%, 47%, and 67% within ±2, ±3, and ±5 breaths per minute, respectively. Among the 16 included studies, we identified 15 studies that reported the accuracy of a health worker classifying breathing into either fast or normal categories compared to a reference standard. The median sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and kappa value were 77%, 86%, 81%, and 0.75, respectively. Seven studies reporting the accuracy of identifying fast breathing were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity were 78% (95% CI = 72-82) and 86% (95% CI = 78-91), respectively.ConclusionsDespite the problematic nature of reference standards and their variability across studies, our review suggests that the health worker performance in accurately counting RR is relatively poor. However, their performance shows reasonable specificity and moderate sensitivity in identifying fast breathing. Improving the detection of fast breathing in children with suspected pneumonia among health workers is an important child health programme objective and should be given appropriate priority.

Utility of plasma NGAL for the diagnosis of AKI following cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass: a systematic review and meta-analysis

The objective of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of plasma neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (pNGAL) for the early diagnosis of acute kidney injury (AKI) in adult patients following cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Electronic databases and other resources were systematically searched for relevant studies. Risk of bias was assessed using the Quality Assessment for Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Studies were assigned to a sub-group based on the timing of the pNGAL sample in relation to the cessation of CPB. These were < 4 h, 4–8 h, 12 h or 24 h post-cessation of CPB. Summary values for sensitivity and specificity were estimated using the hierarchical summary receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve model. A random-effects meta-analysis of each pair of sensitivity and specificity estimates from each included study was performed. In total, 3131 patients from 16 studies were included. When taken at 4–8 h following CPB, pNGAL had superior performance for the diagnosis of AKI in the defined population when compared to earlier and later time points. Prediction regions and confidence intervals, however, demonstrated significant variability in pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity. This is likely due to population and study design heterogeneity, lack of standardisation of assays and thresholds, and inability to distinguish the different molecular forms of NGAL. In conclusion, the diagnostic utility of pNGAL in this clinical setting is inconclusive and large individual studies of representative populations of cardiac surgery patients using assays that specifically detect NGAL in its monomeric form are required.

LumiraDX SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test for Diagnosing Acute SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Critical Literature Review and Meta-Analysis

We present here a critical literature review and meta-analysis on the accuracy of the LumiraDX SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test for diagnosing acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. An electronic search was conducted in the Scopus and Medline databases using the keywords “LumiraDX” AND “COVID-19” OR “SARS-CoV-2”, without date (i.e., up to 1 February 2022) or language restrictions, for detecting clinical studies where the diagnostic accuracy of the LumiraDX SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test was compared with reference molecular diagnostic methods. All studies where the rates of true positive, true negative, false positive and false negative cases were available for constructing a 2 × 2 table and providing pooled estimates of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy were included in a pooled analysis. The study was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) reporting checklist. Eleven studies (n = 8527 samples) could be included in our pooled analysis, while five additional documents provided diagnostic accuracy data but could not be extracted for construction of a 2 × 2 table. The pooled diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were 0.86 (95%CI, 0.84–0.88) and 0.99 (95%CI, 0.98–0.99), respectively, while the area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.974 (95%CI, 0.965–0.983) and the agreement was 96.8% (95%CI, 96.4–97.1%), with kappa statistics of 0.87 (95%CI, 0.85–0.88). In conclusion, the diagnostic performance of the LumiraDX SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Test would allow the conclusion that it may be seen as a reliable alternative to molecular testing for the rapid preliminary screening of acute SARS-CoV-2 infections.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic effectiveness of positron emission tomography-computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging in the post-treatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

There is currently no consensus on the ideal protocol of imaging for post-treatment surveillance of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This study aimed to consolidate existing evidence on the diagnostic effectiveness of positron emission tomography-computed tomography versus magnetic resonance imaging. Systematic electronic searches were conducted using Medline, Embase and Cochrane Library (updated February 2021) to identify studies directly comparing positron emission tomography-computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging scans for detecting locoregional recurrence or residual disease for post-treatment surveillance. Searches identified 3164 unique records, with three studies included for meta-analysis, comprising 176 patients. The weighted pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity for scans performed three to six months post-curative treatment were: positron emission tomography-computed tomography, 0.68 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.49-0.84) and 0.89 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.84-0.93); magnetic resonance imaging, 0.72 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.54-0.88) and 0.85 (95 per cent confidence interval, 0.79-0.89), respectively. Existing studies do not provide evidence for superiority of either positron emission tomography-computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in detecting locoregional recurrence or residual disease following curative treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Accuracy of rapid point-of-care serological tests for leprosy diagnosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease, still endemic in many countries that may lead to neurological, ophthalmic, and motor sequelae if not treated early. Access to timely diagnosis and multidrug therapy (MDT) remains a crucial element in the World Health Organization’s strategy to eliminate the disease as a public health problem.OBJECTIVES This systematic review aims to evaluate the accuracy of rapid point-of-care (POC) tests for diagnosis of leprosy.METHODS Searches were carried out in electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, CRD, Cochrane Library and LILACS) in April 2021 for patients with suspicion or confirmatory diagnostic of leprosy, classified in multibacillary (MB) or paucibacillary (PB) cases, performing rapid POC serological tests compared to clinical evaluation, smear microscopy and immunohistochemistry analysis. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool (QUADAS-2). A meta-analysis was undertaken to generate pooled estimates of diagnostic parameters, presenting sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) values. The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO, CRD # 42014009658.FINDINGS From 893 potentially relevant references, 12 articles were included reporting 16 diagnostic tests accuracy studies with 5395 individuals enrolled. Meta-analysis of NDO-LID and PGL-I tests data in MB patients showed sensitivity and specificity [95% confidence interval (CI)] of 0.83 (0.71-0.91), 0.91 (0.72-0.97); and 0.92 (0.86-0.96), 0.93 (0.78-0.98); respectively, with high heterogeneity among the studies.MAIN CONCLUSIONS Our results can inform policymakers regarding the possibility of implementing accurate, rapid POC tests for leprosy in public health services, especially within primary health care.

Diagnostic Test Accuracy of the Beck Depression Inventory for Detecting Major Depression in Adolescents: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Major depressive disorder in adolescents is closely linked to poor social, cognitive, and academic outcomes, including suicidality. The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), a screening tool, is one of the most widely used instruments for detecting depression; however, its diagnostic test accuracy has not yet been thoroughly examined. This study, therefore, aimed to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the accuracy of the BDI for detecting depression in adolescents. In August 2020, a search was conducted in the EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycArticles databases, and following a review against predefined eligibility criteria, 22 studies were finally included. The quality of the included articles was evaluated, and a hierarchical regression model was used to calculate the pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity; 73.0% (95% CI; 62.0%, 81.8%) and 80.3% (72.8%, 86.1%) in cutoff 16, respectively. The findings indicated the BDI is a reliable and useful tool to screen adolescents' depression.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for diagnosis of acute appendicitis.

Appendicitis remains a difficult disease to diagnose, and imaging adjuncts are commonly employed. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging test that can be used to diagnose appendicitis. It is not commonly regarded as a first-line imaging test for appendicitis, but the reported diagnostic accuracy in some studies is equivalent to computed tomography (CT) scans. As it does not expose patients to radiation, it is an attractive imaging modality, particularly in women and children. The primary objective was to determine the diagnostic accuracy of MRI for detecting appendicitis in all patients. Secondary objectives: To investigate the accuracy of MRI in subgroups of pregnant women, children, and adults. To investigate the potential influence of MRI scanning variables such as sequences, slice thickness, or field of view. We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, and Embase until February 2021. We searched the references of included studies and other systematic reviews to identify further studies. We did not exclude studies that were unpublished, published in another language, or retrospective. We included studies that compared the outcome of an MRI scan for suspected appendicitis with a reference standard of histology, intraoperative findings, or clinical follow-up. Three study team members independently filtered search results for eligible studies. We independently extracted study data and assessed study quality using the Quality Assessment of Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy - Revised (QUADAS-2) tool. We used the bivariate model to calculate pooled estimates of sensitivity and specificity. We identified 58 studies with sufficient data for meta-analysis including a total of 7462 participants (1980 with and 5482 without acute appendicitis). Estimates of sensitivity ranged from 0.18 to 1.0; estimates of specificity ranged from 0.4 to 1.0. Summary sensitivity was 0.95 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.94 to 0.97); summary specificity was 0.96 (95% CI 0.95 to 0.97). Sensitivity and specificity remained high on subgroup analysis for pregnant women (sensitivity 0.96 (95% CI 0.88 to 0.99); specificity 0.97 (95% CI 0.95 to 0.98); 21 studies, 2282 women); children (sensitivity 0.96 (95% CI 0.95 to 0.97); specificity 0.96 (95% CI 0.92 to 0.98); 17 studies, 2794 children); and adults (sensitivity 0.96 (95% CI 0.93 to 0.97); specificity 0.93 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.98); 9 studies, 1088 participants), as well as different scanning techniques. In a hypothetical cohort of 1000 patients, there would be 12 false-positive results and 30 false-negative results. Methodological quality of the included studies was poor, and the risk of bias was high or unclear in 53% to 83% of the QUADAS-2 domains. MRI appears to be highly accurate in confirming and excluding acute appendicitis in adults, children, and pregnant women regardless of protocol. The methodological quality of the included studies was generally low due to incomplete and low standards of follow-up, so summary estimates of sensitivity and specificity may be biased. We could not assess the impact and direction of potential bias given the very low number of high-quality studies. Studies comparing MRI protocols were few, and although we found no influence of MRI protocol variables on the summary estimates of accuracy, our results do not rule out that some MRI protocols are more accurate than others.

Imaging modalities for the detection of posterior pelvic floor disorders in women with obstructed defaecation syndrome.

Imaging modalities for the detection of posterior pelvic floor disorders in women with obstructed defaecation syndrome.

Sensitivity and Specificity of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) 16 Early Antigen Serology for HPV-Driven Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

Simple SummarySerum antibodies against human papillomavirus 16 (HPV16) proteins are associated with HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC). The HPV status of OPC cases is clinically relevant because patients with HPV-OPC show improved survival and treatment response compared to tobacco- or alcohol-induced OPC. In clinical settings, molecular HPV tumor status is usually determined by tissue-based methods detecting molecular markers, such as viral nucleic acids or p16 overexpression. Antibodies against HPV16 in peripheral blood were shown to be very accurate in determining the molecular HPV tumor status in multiple studies. In this work, we reviewed and summarized the available literature on the performance of HPV16 serology for E2, E6 and E7 antibodies to determine molecular HPV tumor status in OPC cases in comparison with tissue-based reference methods. We calculated summary estimates across different studies for sensitivity and specificity, and we investigated factors influencing test performance.Antibodies against HPV16 early proteins have been shown to be promising biomarkers for the identification of HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC) among OPC cases in multiple studies. A systematic literature search was performed to identify original research articles comparing HPV early antigen serology with established reference methods to determine molecular HPV tumor status. Random-effects models were used to calculate summary estimates for sensitivity and specificity of HPV16 E2, E6 and E7 serology for HPV-OPC. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity across studies and describe variables associated with test performance. We identified n = 23 studies meeting all eligibility criteria and included these in the meta-analysis. E6 serology showed the best performance with pooled sensitivity and specificity estimates of 83.1% (95% confidence interval (CI) 72.5–90.2%) and 94.6% (95% CI 89.0–97.4%), respectively, while E2 and E7 serological assays were highly specific (E2: 92.5% (95% CI 79.1–97.6%); E7: 88.5% (95% CI 77.9–94.4%)) but moderately sensitive (E2: 67.8% (95% CI 58.9–75.6%); E7: 67.0% (95% CI 63.2–70.6%)). Subgroup analyses revealed increased pooled sensitivity for bacterially (89.9% (95% CI 84.5–93.6%)) vs. in vitro expressed E6 antigen (55.3% (95% CI 41.0–68.7%)), while both showed high specificity (95.2% (95% CI 93.0–96.7%) and 91.1% (95% CI 46.6–99.2%), respectively). Pooled specificity estimates for HPV16 E2, E6 and E7 serology were significantly lower in studies utilizing HPV DNA PCR as the only molecular reference method compared to those using a combination of any two reference methods (HPV DNA, RNA, in situ hybridization (ISH), p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC)), or histopathological reference methods (ISH or p16 IHC) as stand-alone marker. In conclusion, HPV16 E6 seropositivity is a highly sensitive and specific biomarker for HPV-OPC. However, its performance differs between serological assays and depends on molecular reference methods.

Accuracy of Tissue and Sonication Fluid Sampling for the Diagnosis of Fracture-Related Infection: Diagnostic Meta-Analysis.

Evidence shows that tissue sample culturing is the gold standard approach for diagnosing fracture-related infection (FRI). Sonication fluid sampling has also been reported to be efficacious and superior to tissue sample culturing with prosthetic joint infection. However, data from the current literature are not enough to validate this hypothesis for FRI. We conducted a meta-analysis to validate the diagnostic accuracy of tissue sample culturing and sonication fluid aspiration and to find which one is superior to the other. An extensive search through the relevant databases was conducted to obtain all the relevant studies. We have included 13 relevant studies, including nine retrospective cohorts and four prospective ones. The overall pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of tissue sampling culture in diagnosing fracture-related infections were 98% (95% CI, 92% to 99%), 38% (95% CI, 23% to 56%), and 25 (4 to 154), respectively. The overall pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and DOR of sonication fluid sample culture in diagnosing fracture-related infections were 86% (95% CI, 79% to 92%), 98% (95% CI, 93% to 100%), and 353 (78 to 1598), respectively. No significant risk of bias was found regarding the sensitivity and specificity among studies investigating both modalities, however, significant heterogeneity was noticed. Sonication fluid sampling can be used to confirm FRI while tissue sampling can be used to exclude it and both modalities should be combined for obtaining the most accurate outcome.