The use of Meta-analysis in the evaluation on diagnostic tests / 中华流行病学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To introduce Meta-analysis in evaluating diagnostic tests.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Adjusted SROC method was used in assessing 7 diagnostic tests on fatty liver.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The pooled sensitivity and specificity of type B ultrasonography were 0.89 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.87-0.92] and 0.94 (95% CI 0.92-0.96) respectively while the Q value was 0.90 by adjusted SROC method. The results indicated that the diagnostic value of type B ultrasonography were high, thus could be regarded as an effective method for fatty liver diagnosis.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Meta-analysis on evaluating diagnostic tests could be used to assess the diagnostic test to increase the power of conclusion, and to improves its reliability.</p>