ABSTRACT
Objective To illustrate the evaluation effect of bivariate analysis of sensitivity and specificity meta-analysis model in diagnosis test to provide basis for selecting better evaluation method of diagnostic test.Methods Bivariate model was presented by reanalyzing the data from a published meta-analysis of two diagnostic techniques in diagnosis of schistosomiasis japonica.Results The bivariate model could directly provide summary estimates of(logit)sensitivity,specificity and DOR with corresponding 95% CI for two diagnostic tests(IHA and ELISA).Also,it could elicit any significant difference that existed among sensitivity,specificity and DOR between the two diagnostic methods,and incorporate any correlation that existed between sensitivity;specificity.Conclusion The bivariate model preserves the two dimensional nature of the original data,and separates effects of sensitivity and specificity,which is more rational than a net effect on diagnostic odds ratio scale as in SROC approach.The bivariate model is appropriate and agile,and can be used as an extension and improvement of the traditional SROC method.