Title |
Meta-analysis of test accuracy studies: an exploratory method for investigating the impact of missing thresholds
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Published in |
Systematic Reviews, February 2015
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DOI | 10.1186/2046-4053-4-12 |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Richard D Riley, Ikhlaaq Ahmed, Joie Ensor, Yemisi Takwoingi, Amanda Kirkham, R Katie Morris, J Pieter Noordzij, Jonathan J Deeks |
Abstract |
Primary studies examining the accuracy of a continuous test evaluate its sensitivity and specificity at one or more thresholds. Meta-analysts then usually perform a separate meta-analysis for each threshold. However, the number of studies available for each threshold is often very different, as primary studies are inconsistent in the thresholds reported. Furthermore, of concern is selective reporting bias, because primary studies may be less likely to report a threshold when it gives low sensitivity and/or specificity estimates. This may lead to biased meta-analysis results. We developed an exploratory method to examine the potential impact of missing thresholds on conclusions from a test accuracy meta-analysis. |
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Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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United Kingdom | 4 | 27% |
Spain | 1 | 7% |
Germany | 1 | 7% |
Canada | 1 | 7% |
Unknown | 8 | 53% |
Demographic breakdown
Type | Count | As % |
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Members of the public | 12 | 80% |
Practitioners (doctors, other healthcare professionals) | 2 | 13% |
Scientists | 1 | 7% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
Country | Count | As % |
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Australia | 1 | 3% |
Unknown | 38 | 97% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Student > Ph. D. Student | 8 | 21% |
Researcher | 5 | 13% |
Student > Master | 3 | 8% |
Lecturer > Senior Lecturer | 2 | 5% |
Student > Postgraduate | 2 | 5% |
Other | 7 | 18% |
Unknown | 12 | 31% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
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Medicine and Dentistry | 9 | 23% |
Mathematics | 5 | 13% |
Unspecified | 2 | 5% |
Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 2 | 5% |
Nursing and Health Professions | 1 | 3% |
Other | 6 | 15% |
Unknown | 14 | 36% |