Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-D detection for the diagnosis of lymphangioleiomyomatosis (LAM) by Meta-analysis. Methods Literatures published before August 2017 were retrieved from PubMed, Embase, China Biology Medicine database, China National Knowledge Internet, Wangfang, and VIP database to retrieve the study about VEGF-D detection for LAM. The studies were screened according to the inclusive and exclusive criteria, the data were extracted, the quality was assessed and the Meta-analysis was performed with related statistical software. Results Six primary studies were included and 521 patients met the inclusion criterion. The Meta-analysis showed the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio and diagnostic odds ratio of 0.75 [95% confidence interval (CI) (0.70, 0.79)], 0.95 [95%CI (0.91, 0.98)], 16.20 [95%CI (8.70, 30.19)], 0.20 [95%CI (0.10, 0.40)] and 89.49 [95%CI (38.46, 208.22)], respectively. The area under the curve was 0.953 9. Conclusions VEGF-D detection showes a good diagnostic value for LAM. A positive result is more clinical meaningful compared with a negative result, helping for the confirmation of the disease.
Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1 (sTREM-1) for sepsis. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2012), PubMed, EMbase, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched to collect the diagnostic tests on sTREM-1 for sepsis published before April 2012. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data, and assessed the methodological quality. Then, Meta-Disc software (Version 1.5) was used to conduct analyses, draw the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve, and calculate the area under curve and Q index. Results A total of 11 studies involving 1 615 patients were included. The value of sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, area under of SROC curve, and Q index were 69%, 71%, 3.7, 0.34, 14.73, 0.875, and 0.805, respectively. Conclusion This meta-analysis shows that sTREM-1 as a single indicator has moderate accuracy for early diagnosing sepsis. It should be combined with other diagnostic indicators to further improve the sensitivity and accuracy in diagnosing sepsis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy and efficacy of X-ray for evaluating the tip position of umbilical venous catheterization (UVC). MethodsThe PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect diagnostic tests for UVC tip localisation from inception to 1 May 2023. Two reviewers independently screened the literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted the data and assessed the quality of the studies using the QUADAS-2 tool. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using Stata 16.0 software. Results Twelve articles involving 1 055 patients were included. The sensitivity and specificity of Negar Yazdani’s study were both 100%. The results of the meta-analysis (the remaining eleven articles, n=951) indicated a pooled sensitivity of 0.7 (95%CI 0.6 to 0.8), a pooled specificity of 0.8 (95%CI 0.7 to 0.9), a positive likelihood ratio of 4.0 (95%CI 2.0 to 8.1), a negative likelihood ratio of 0.4 (95%CI 0.2 to 0.6) and a diagnostic odds ratio of 11 (95%CI 3 to 36) with an area under the cumulative receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.8 (95%CI 0.8 to 0.9). A subgroup analysis was performed according to the different methods of judging X, the 8th–9th thoracic, the 9th–10th thoracic and combined judgement of the diaphragmatic plane + the vertebral body + the heart shadow. The sensitivities of the 3 groups were 0.8 (95%CI 0.5 to 0.9), 0.5 (95%CI 0.4 to 0.7) and 0.8 (95%CI 0.6 to 0.9); the specificities of the 3 groups were 0.8 (95%CI 0.6 to 0.9), 0.76 (95%CI 0.6 to 0.9) and 0.91 (95%CI 0.79 to 0.96). The areas under the cumulative receiver operating characteristic curve were 0.9 (95%CI 0.8 to 0.9), 0.7 (95%CI 0.6 to 0.7) and 0.92 (95%CI 0.89 to 0.94). ConclusionSome error is present when determining the catheter tip position by X-ray, in which the evaluation of the umbilical vein catheter tip position through a comprehensive evaluation of the diaphragmatic plane, the heart margin and the vertebral body is more powerful than the evaluation of the vertebral body alone.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of FibroScan for the staging of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B. MethodsWe searched the PubMed, EMbase, Web of Knowledge, CBM, WanFang Data and CNKI databases for studies investigated the diagnostic value of FibroScan for hepatic fibrosis B from Jan. 1st, 2003 to Aug. 31st, 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the exclusion and inclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Then, Stata 13.0 software was used to analyze the data. ResultsA total of 15 studies involving 2 588 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio and the AUC of SROC were 0.77 (95%CI 0.69 to 0.83), 0.84 (95%CI 0.70 to 0.87), 3.8 (95%CI 2.6 to 5.6), 0.29 (95%CI 0.22 to 0.38), 13 (95%CI 8 to 21), 0.82 (95%CI 0.82 to 0.88) for hepatic fibrosis; and were 0.81 (95%CI 0.73 to 0.87), 0.89 (95%CI 0.86 to 0.92), 7.5 (95%CI 5.3 to 10.3), 0.21 (95%CI 0.14 to 0.31), 36 (95%CI 20 to 65), 0.93 (95%CI 0.90 to 0.95) for early hepatic cirrhosis, respectively. ConclusionThe current evidence suggests that FibroScan is of good accuracy in the diagnosis of early hepatic fibrosis but not for hepatic cirrhosis in patient with chronic hepatitis B.
By comparing the diagnostic accuracy of two or more tests in the same study, the one with the higher diagnostic accuracy can be screened. Therefore, it is extremely important to conduct the comparative diagnostic test accuracy study. This paper introduced the concept of the comparative diagnostic test accuracy study, compared it with single diagnostic test accuracy study, and described its role, study design, statistical analysis, current status, and challenges.
Objective To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of several relevant cut-off points of Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Chinese middle-aged adults. Methods Databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, The Cochrane Library (Issue 5, 2016), OVID, CBM, CNKI, VIP, WanFang Data were searched for diagnostic tests about MoCA for MCI from April 9th 2005 to December 31st 2015. Two reviewers independently screened literatures according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality by QUADAS-2 tool. Then, meta-analysis was performed by Stata 14.0 software. Results A total of 27 studies involving 5 755 participants were included with mean ages from 60 to 80 years old. Among them, 1 997 were diagnosed as MCI patients by Petersen criteria. Based on maximal area under the ROC curve as well as optimal pooled sensitivity and specificity, the optimal cutoff value of MoCA was 25/26, the pooled sensitivity was 0.96 with 95%CI 0.93 to 0.97, specificity was 0.83 with 95%CI 0.75 to 0.89, and DOR was 107 with 95%CI 61 to 188. The subgroup analysis with different research designs, different sources of study participants and different MoCA versions all indicated 25/26 as an optimal cut-off value. Conclusion The optimal cutoff value of MoCA in Chinese middle-aged adults for screening MCI by Petersen criteria was 25/26.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the diagnostic value of HBV Pre-S1Ag tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in patients with hepatitis B virus replication. MethodsSuch databases as PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2014), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were electronically and comprehensively searched for relevant studies on the diagnostic value of HBV Pre-S1Ag tested by ELISA in patients with hepatitis B virus replication from inception to May 1st, 2014. Relevant journals were also manually retrieved. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was then conducted using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. ResultsFinally, fifteen studies were included, involving 1 994 patients with hepatitis B diagnosed by the gold standard and 526 patients with non-hepatitis B diseases. The results of meta-analysis showed (Sen=0.76, 95%CI 0.74 to 0.78; Spe=0.90, 95%CI 0.88 to 0.91; +LR=8.54, 95%CI 4.25 to 17.15;-LR=0.17, 95%CI 0.10 to 0.27; DOR=65.12, 95%CI 24.91 to 170.28; AUC=0.943 0, SE=0.018 1; Q*=0.881 3, SE=0.023 4). ConclusionHBV Pre-S1Ag tested by ELISA has certain value in the diagnosis of patients with hepatitis B virus replication. Due to poor methodological quality of the included studies, the above conclusion should be verified by conducting high quality diagnostic tests.
Objective To systematically review the diagnostic accuracy of 18F-FDG PET dual time point scan in identifying benign and malignant lung lesions, in order to necessity and clinical value of dual time point scan. Methods We electronically searched PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library, WanFang Data, CNKI and CBM for diagnostic tests on 18F-FDG PET dual time point scan vs. surgery or needle biopsy (gold standard) from January 1990 to November 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then statistical analysis was performed to calculate pooled effect sizes of sensitivity (SEN) and specificity (SPE), and area under the curve (AUC) of summary receiver operating characteristics (SROC), followed by sensitive analysis and subgroup analysis. Results A total of 19 domestic and foreign studies were totally included, involving 1 225 lesions. The results of meta-analysis showed SEN 0.82 (95%CI 0.79 to 0.85) and SPE 0.74 (95%CI 0.71 to 0.78) regarding 18F-FDG PET dual time point scan in identifying benign and malignant lung lesions. The results of sensitive analysis showed that: a) after eliminating studies in which tuberculosis in the benign lesions accounted for more than 50%, it showed pooled SEN 0.81 (95%CI 0.77 to 0.84), pooled SPE 0.76 (95%CI 0.72 to 0.80), and AUC 0.850 3; b) after eliminating studies in which sample size was less than 50 cases, it showed pooled SEN 0.78 (95%CI 0.74 to 0.82), pooled SPE 0.78 (95%CI 0.74 to 0.82), and AUC 0.814 1; and c) after eliminating studies in which iSUV was more than 2.5, it showed pooled SEN 0.67 (95%CI 0.55 to 0.78), pooled SPE 0.66 (95%CI 0.54 to 0.77), and AUC 0.779 8. Conclusion 18F-FDG PET dual time point scan has intermediate value in identifying benign and malignant lung lesions, which is almost as good as single time point scan, so it’s unnecessary to apply it as a clinical routine test.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the value of contrast-enhanced ultrasound in diagnosis of benign and malignant renal tumors. MethodsSuch databases as PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 9, 2013), CBM, CNKI, WanFang Data and VIP were searched by Sep 31st, 2013. Two reviewers independently screened literature according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using Meta-Disc 1.4 software. ResultsSeven studies involving 462 patients were finally included. ROC curve showed shoulder-arm shape. The results of Spearman suggested significance of the threshold effect. The results of meta-analysis showed that, the area under curve (AUC) was 0.98. ConclusionContrast-enhanced ultrasound can improve diagnostic accuracy, which is of important value in the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of benign and malignant renal tumors. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, the abovementioned conclusion still needs to be verified by conducting more high quality studies.