Top

Systematic Reviews

Published in:

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Methodology

Impact of contacting study authors to obtain additional data for systematic reviews: diagnostic accuracy studies for hepatic fibrosis

Authors: Shelley S Selph, Alexander D Ginsburg, Roger Chou

Published in: Systematic Reviews | Issue 1/2014

Abstract

Background

Seventeen of 172 included studies in a recent systematic review of blood tests for hepatic fibrosis or cirrhosis reported diagnostic accuracy results discordant from 2 × 2 tables, and 60 studies reported inadequate data to construct 2 × 2 tables. This study explores the yield of contacting authors of diagnostic accuracy studies and impact on the systematic review findings.

Methods

Sixty-six corresponding authors were sent letters requesting additional information or clarification of data from 77 studies. Data received from the authors were synthesized with data included in the previous review, and diagnostic accuracy sensitivities, specificities, and positive and likelihood ratios were recalculated.

Results

Of the 66 authors, 68% were successfully contacted and 42% provided additional data for 29 out of 77 studies (38%). All authors who provided data at all did so by the third emailed request (ten authors provided data after one request). Authors of more recent studies were more likely to be located and provide data compared to authors of older studies. The effects of requests for additional data on the conclusions regarding the utility of blood tests to identify patients with clinically significant fibrosis or cirrhosis were generally small for ten out of 12 tests. Additional data resulted in reclassification (using median likelihood ratio estimates) from less useful to moderately useful or vice versa for the remaining two blood tests and enabled the calculation of an estimate for a third blood test for which previously the data had been insufficient to do so. We did not identify a clear pattern for the directional impact of additional data on estimates of diagnostic accuracy.

Conclusions

We successfully contacted and received results from 42% of authors who provided data for 38% of included studies. Contacting authors of studies evaluating the diagnostic accuracy of serum biomarkers for hepatic fibrosis and cirrhosis in hepatitis C patients impacted conclusions regarding diagnostic utility for two blood tests and enabled the calculation of an estimate for a third blood test. Despite relatively extensive efforts, we were unable to obtain data to resolve discrepancies or complete 2 × 2 tables for 62% of studies.

Available only for authorised users

Gibson CA, Bailey BW, Carper MJ, Lecheminant JD, Kirk EP, Huang G, Dubose KD, Donnelly JE: Author contacts for retrieval of data for a meta-analysis on exercise and diet restriction. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2006, 22: 267-270.CrossRefPubMed

Kelley GA, Kelley KS, Tran ZV: Retrieval of missing data for meta-analysis: a practical example. Int J Technol Assess Health Care. 2004, 20: 296-299.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

Higgins JPT, Green S: Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions Version 5.1.0. 2011, The Cochrane Collaboration: [Updated March 2011], [http://www.cochrane-handbook.org]

Balshem H, Stevens A, Ansari M, Norris S, Kansagara D, Shamliyan T, Chou R, Chung M, Moher D, Dickersin K: Finding grey literature evidence and assessing for outcome and analysis reporting biases when comparing medical interventions. AHRQ and the Effective Health Care Program. In Methods Guide for Effectiveness and Comparative Effectiveness Reviews. 2013, Rockville: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: AHRQ Publication No 10(14)-EHC063-EF, 19-20.

Mullan RJ, Flynn DN, Carlberg B, Tleyjeh IM, Kamath CC, LaBella ML, Erwin PJ, Guyatt GH, Montori VM: Systematic reviewers commonly contact study authors but do so with limited rigor. J Clin Epidemiol. 2009, 62: 138-142. 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2008.08.002.CrossRefPubMed

Chou R, Cottrell EB, Wasson N, Rahman B, Guise J-M: Screening for hepatitis C virus infection in adults: a systematic review for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2013, 158: 101-108. 10.7326/0003-4819-158-2-201301150-00574.CrossRefPubMed

Chou R, Cottrell EB, Wasson N, Rahman B, Guise J-M: Screening for Hepatitis C Virus Infection in Adults. Comparative Effectiveness Review No. 69. (Prepared by the Oregon Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2007-10057-I.). 2012, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Rockville

Chou R, Wasson N: Blood tests to diagnose fibrosis or cirrhosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection: a systematic review. Ann Intern Med. 2013, 158: 807-820. 10.7326/0003-4819-158-11-201306040-00005.CrossRefPubMed

Attallah AM, Abdallah SO, Attallah AA, Omran MM, Farid K, Nasif WA, Shiha GE, Abdel-Aziz AA, Rasafy N, Shaker YM: Diagnostic value of fibronectin discriminant score for predicting liver fibrosis stages in chronic hepatitis C virus patients. Ann Hepatol. 2013, 12: 44-53.PubMed

10.

Attallah AM, Omran MM, Farid K, El-Bendary M, Emran TM, Albannan MS, El-Dosoky I: Development of a novel score for liver fibrosis staging and comparison with eight simple laboratory scores in large numbers of HCV-monoinfected patients. Clin Chim Acta. 2012, 413: 1725-1730. 10.1016/j.cca.2012.06.031.CrossRefPubMed

11.

Ben Jazia E, Kaabia N, Benabdelkader A, Khalifa M, Harrabi I, Braham A, Bahri F, Letaief A: Noninvasive fibrosis markers for the prediction of significant fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection in Tunisia. Infect Dis Clin Pract (Baltim Md). 2009, 17: 385-387. 10.1097/IPC.0b013e3181bf60d3.CrossRef

12.

Cheung RC, Currie S, Shen H, Bini EJ, Ho SB, Anand BS, Hu K-Q, Wright TL, Morgan TR: Group ftVH-S: Can we predict the degree of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients using routine blood tests in our daily practice?. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2008, 42: 827-834. 10.1097/MCG.0b013e318046ea9a.CrossRefPubMed

13.

Crisan D, Radu C, Lupsor M, Sparchez Z, Grigorescu MD, Grigorescu M: Two or more synchronous combination of noninvasive tests to increase accuracy of liver fibrosis assessment in chronic hepatitis C; results from a cohort of 446 patients. Hepat Mon. 2012, 12: 177-184. 10.5812/hepatmon.5106.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

14.

Ehsan N, Badr M, Raouf A, Gamal B: Correlation between liver biopsy findings and different serum biochemical tests in staging fibrosis in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Arab J Gastroenterol. 2008, 9: 7-12.

15.

El-mezayen HA, El SAT, Shiha GE: Role of hyaluronic acid, its degrading enzymes, degradation products, and ferritin in the assessment of fibrosis stage in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013, 25: 69-76. 10.1097/MEG.0b013e3283594924.CrossRefPubMed

16.

Guechot J, Trocme C, Renversez J-C, Sturm N, Zarski J-P: Group AHEFS: Independent validation of the Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) score in the ANRS HC EP 23 Fibrostar cohort of patients with chronic hepatitis C. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2012, 50: 693-699.CrossRefPubMed

17.

Iacobellis A, Fusilli S, Mangia A, Clemente R, Festa V, Giacobbe A, Facciorusso D, Niro G, Conoscitore P, Andriulli A: Ultrasonographic and biochemical parameters in the non-invasive evaluation of liver fibrosis in hepatitis C virus chronic hepatitis. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2005, 22: 769-774. 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2005.02633.x.CrossRefPubMed

18.

Iacobellis A, Mangia A, Leandro G, Clemente R, Festa V, Attino V, Ricciardi R, Giacobbe A, Facciorusso D, Andriulli A: External validation of biochemical indices for noninvasive evaluation of liver fibrosis in HCV chronic hepatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2005, 100: 868-873. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2005.40881.x.CrossRefPubMed

19.

Leroy V, Monier F, Bottari S, Trocme C, Sturm N, Hilleret MN, Morel F, Zarski JP: Circulating matrix metalloproteinases 1, 2, 9 and their inhibitors TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 as serum markers of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C: comparison with PIIINP and hyaluronic acid. Am J Gast. 2004, 99: 271-279. 10.1111/j.1572-0241.2004.04055.x.CrossRef

20.

Mossong J, Bill S, Hawotte K, Gilson G, Knolle U, Weber J, Roskams T, Arendt V: Predicting significant fibrosis in hepatitis C patients in Luxembourg using serological markers. Bull Soc Sci Med Grand Duche Luxemb. 2011, 1: 19-30.PubMed

21.

Saitou Y, Shiraki K, Yamanaka Y, Yamaguchi Y, Kawakita T, Yamamoto N, Sugimoto K, Murata K, Nakano T: Noninvasive estimation of liver fibrosis and response to interferon therapy by a serum fibrogenesis marker, YKL-40, in patients with HCV-associated liver disease. World J Gastroenterol. 2005, 11: 476-481.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

22.

Sebastiani G, Vario A, Guido M, Alberti A: Performance of noninvasive markers for liver fibrosis is reduced in chronic hepatitis C with normal transaminases. J Vir Hep. 2008, 15: 212-218.CrossRef

23.

Sebastiani G, Castera L, Halfon P, Pol S, Mangia A, Di Marco V, Pirisi M, Voiculescu M, Bourliere M, Alberti A: The impact of liver disease aetiology and the stages of hepatic fibrosis on the performance of non-invasive fibrosis biomarkers: an international study of 2411 cases. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011, 34: 1202-1216. 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04861.x.CrossRefPubMed

24.

Sebastiani G, Halfon P, Castera L, Mangia A, Di Marco V, Pirisi M, Voiculescu M, Bourliere M, Alberti A: Comparison of three algorithms of non-invasive markers of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2012, 35: 92-104. 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04897.x.CrossRefPubMed

25.

Stibbe KJM, Verveer C, Francke J, Hansen BE, Zondervan PE, Kuipers EJ, De Knegt RJ, Van Vuuren AJ: Comparison of non-invasive assessment to diagnose liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis B and C patients. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2011, 46: 962-972. 10.3109/00365521.2011.574725.CrossRefPubMed

26.

Adler M, Gulbis B, Moreno C, Evrard S, Verset G, Golstein P, Frotscher B, Nagy N, Thiry P: The predictive value of FIB-4 versus FibroTest, APRI, FibroIndex and Forns index to noninvasively estimate fibrosis in hepatitis C and nonhepatitis C liver diseases. Hepatology. 2008, 47: 762-763. 10.1002/hep.22085.CrossRefPubMed

27.

Ahmad W, Ijaz B, Javed FT, Gull S, Kausar H, Sarwar MT, Asad S, Shahid I, Sumrin A, Khaliq S, Jahan S, Pervaiz A, Hassan S: A comparison of four fibrosis indexes in chronic HCV: development of new fibrosis-cirrhosis index (FCI). BMC Gastroenterol. 2011, 11: 44-10.1186/1471-230X-11-44.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

28.

Amorim TG, Staub GJ, Lazzarotto C, Silva AP, Manes J, Da Graca Ferronato M, Shiozawa MB, Narciso-Schiavon JL, Dantas-Correa EB, De Lucca Schiavon L: Validation and comparison of simple noninvasive models for the prediction of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Ann Hepatol. 2012, 11: 855-861.PubMed

29.

Arabul M, Aslan F, Alper E, Akpinar Z, Celik M, Kandemir A, Vatansever S, Unsal B: Simple non-invasive markers as a predictor of fibrosis and viral response in chronic hepatitis C patients. Turk J Gastroenterol. 2012, 23: 538-545.CrossRefPubMed

30.

Bota S, Sirli R, Sporea I, Focsa M, Popescu A, Danila M, Strain M, Sendroiu M, Deleanu A, Dan I: A new scoring system for prediction of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Hepat Mon. 2011, 11: 548-555.PubMedPubMedCentral

31.

Bourliere M, Penaranda G, Ouzan D, Renou C, Botta-Fridlund D, Tran A, Rosenthal E, Wartelle-Bladou C, Delasalle P, Oules V, Portal I, Castellani P, Lecomte L, Rosenthal-Alliere MA, Halfon P: Optimized stepwise combination algorithms of non-invasive liver fibrosis scores including Hepascore in hepatitis C virus patients. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2008, 28: 458-467. 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2008.03742.x.CrossRefPubMed

32.

Boursier J, Bacq Y, Halfon P, Leroy V, De Ledinghen V, De Muret A, Bourlière M, Sturm N, Foucher J, Oberti F, Rousselet MC, Cales P: Improved diagnostic accuracy of blood tests for severe fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009, 21: 28-38. 10.1097/MEG.0b013e32830cebd7.CrossRefPubMed

33.

Boursier J, De Ledinghen V, Zarski J-P, Rousselet M-C, Sturm N, Foucher J, Leroy V, Fouchard-Hubert I, Bertrais S, Gallois Y, Oberti F, Dib N, Cales P: A new combination of blood test and fibroscan for accurate non-invasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis stages in chronic hepatitis C. Am J Gastroenterol. 2011, 106: 1255-1263. 10.1038/ajg.2011.100.CrossRefPubMed

34.

Burton MJ, Sunesara I, Penman A, Pham H, Oliver N, Young CA, McGloster N, McGuire BM: Comparing the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) to platelet ratio index (APRI) between African American and white veterans with chronic hepatitis C. South Med J. 2011, 104: 309-314. 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e318213cf52.CrossRefPubMed

35.

Calès P, Boursier J, Bertrais S, Oberti F, Gallois Y, Fouchard-Hubert I, Dib N, Zarski JP, Rousselet MC, Multicentric G: Optimization and robustness of blood tests for liver fibrosis and cirrhosis. Clin Biochem. 2010, 43: 1315-1322. 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2010.08.010.CrossRefPubMed

36.

Calès P, Boursier J, De Lédinghen V, Halfon P, Bacq Y, Leroy V, Dib N, Oberti F, Sawadogo A, Rousselet MC, Lunel F: Evaluation and improvement of a reliable diagnosis of cirrhosis by blood tests. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2008, 32: 1050-1060. 10.1016/j.gcb.2008.09.017.CrossRefPubMed

37.

Calès P, Oberti F, Michalak S, Hubert-Fouchard I, Rousselet M, Konate A, Gallois Y, Ternisien C, Chevailler A, Lunel F: A novel panel of blood markers to assess the degree of liver fibrosis. Hepatology. 2005, 42: 1373-1381. 10.1002/hep.20935.CrossRefPubMed

38.

Castéra L, Vergniol J, Foucher J, Le Bail B, Chanteloup E, Haaser M, Darriet M, Couzigou P, De Lédinghen V: Prospective comparison of transient elastography, Fibrotest, APRI, and liver biopsy for the assessment of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Gastroenterology. 2005, 128: 343-350. 10.1053/j.gastro.2004.11.018.CrossRefPubMed

39.

Cheung KJ, Tilleman K, Deforce D, Colle I, Moreno C, Gustot T, Van Vlierberghe H: Usefulness of a novel serum proteome-derived index FI-PRO (fibrosis-protein) in the prediction of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011, 23: 701-710. 10.1097/MEG.0b013e3283471b74.CrossRefPubMed

40.

Cobbold J, Crossey M, Colman P, Goldin R, Murphy P, Patel N, Fitzpatrick J, Vennart W, Thomas H, Cox I, Taylor-Robinson S: Optimal combinations of ultrasound-based and serum markers of disease severity in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat. 2010, 17: 537-545.CrossRefPubMed

41.

Cross TJ, Calvaruso V, Maimone S, Carey I, Chang TP, Pleguezuelo M, Manousou P, Quaglia A, Grillo F, Dhillon AP, Dusheiko GM, Burroughs AK, Harrison PM: Prospective comparison of Fibroscan, King’s score and liver biopsy for the assessment of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C infection. J Viral Hepat. 2010, 17: 546-546.CrossRefPubMed

42.

Cross TJS, Rizzi P, Berry PA, Bruce M, Portmann B, Harrison PM: King’s Score: an accurate marker of cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2009, 21: 730-738. 10.1097/MEG.0b013e32830dfcb3.CrossRefPubMed

43.

Deghady A, Abdou A, El-Neanaey WA, Diab I: Association of genetic polymorphism -670A > G in the Fas gene and serum markers AST platelet ratio index, AST/ALT with significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic hepatitis C. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers. 2012, 16: 531-535. 10.1089/gtmb.2011.0098.CrossRefPubMed

44.

El-Sayed R, Fahmy M, El Koofy N, El-Raziky M, El-Hawary M, Helmy H, El-Akel W, El-Hennawy A, El-Karaksy H: Can aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index replace liver biopsy in chronic hepatitis C?. Trop Gastroenterol. 2011, 32: 267-272.PubMed

45.

Fabris C, Smirne C, Toniutto P, Colletta C, Rapetti R, Minisini R, Falleti E, Leutner M, Pirisi M: Usefulness of six non-proprietary indirect markers of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Clin Chem Lab Med. 2008, 46: 253-259.CrossRefPubMed

46.

Fontana RJ, Goodman ZD, Dienstag JL, Bonkovsky HL, Naishadham D, Sterling RK, Su GL, Ghosh M, Wright EC, Group H-CT: Relationship of serum fibrosis markers with liver fibrosis stage and collagen content in patients with advanced chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology. 2008, 47: 789-798. 10.1002/hep.22099.CrossRefPubMed

47.

Fontanges T, Bailly F, Trepo E, Chevallier M, Maynard-Muet M, Nalet B, Beorchia S, Pillon D, Moindrot H, Froissart B, Slaoui M, Tinel X, Pradat P, Trepo C: Discordance between biochemical markers of liver activity and fibrosis (Actitest-Fibrotest) and liver biopsy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Gastroenterol Clin Biol. 2008, 32: 858-865. 10.1016/j.gcb.2008.05.019.CrossRefPubMed

48.

Fouad SA, Esmat S, Omran D, Rashid L, Kobaisi MH: Noninvasive assessment of hepatic fibrosis in Egyptian patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. World J Gastroenterol. 2012, 18: 2988-2994. 10.3748/wjg.v18.i23.2988.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

49.

Friedrich-Rust M, Rosenberg W, Parkes J, Herrmann E, Zeuzem S, Sarrazin C: Comparison of ELF. FibroTest and FibroScan for the non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis. BMC Gastroenterol. 2010, 10: 103-PubMed

50.

Gabrielli GB, Capra F, Casaril M, Squarzoni S, Tognella P, Dagradi R, De Maria E, Colombari R, Corrocher R, De Sandre G: Serum laminin and type III procollagen in chronic hepatitis C. Diagnostic value in the assessment of disease activity and fibrosis. Clin Chim Acta. 1997, 265: 21-31. 10.1016/S0009-8981(97)00103-4.CrossRefPubMed

51.

Gara N, Zhao X, Kleiner DE, Liang TJ, Hoofnagle JH, Ghany MG: Discordance among transient elastography, aspartate aminotransferase to platelet ratio index, and histologic assessments of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2013, 11: 303-308. 10.1016/j.cgh.2012.10.044. elCrossRefPubMed

52.

Giannini E, Testa R: Noninvasive diagnosis of fibrosis: the truth is rarely pure and never simple. Hepatology. 2003, 38: 1312-1313.CrossRefPubMed

53.

Grigorescu M, Rusu M, Neculoiu D, Radu C, Serban A, Catanas M, Grigorescu MD: The FibroTest value in discriminating between insignificant and significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. The Romanian experience. J Gastrointestin Liver Dis. 2007, 16: 31-37.PubMed

54.

Halfon P, Bacq Y, De Muret A, Penaranda G, Bourliere M, Ouzan D, Tran A, Botta D, Renou C, Brechot M, Degott C, Paradis V: Comparison of test performance profile for blood tests of liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. J Hepatol. 2007, 46: 395-402.CrossRefPubMed

55.

Halfon P, Penaranda G, Renou C, Bourliere M: External validation of FibroIndex. Hepatology. 2007, 46: 280-281. author reply 281–282CrossRefPubMed

56.

Hsieh YY, Tung SY, Lee K, Wu CS, Wei KL, Shen CH, Chang TS, Lin YH: Routine blood tests to predict liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. World J Gastroenterol. 2012, 18: 746-753. 10.3748/wjg.v18.i8.746.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

57.

Ichino N, Osakabe K, Nishikawa T, Sugiyama H, Kato M, Kitahara S, Hashimoto S, Kawabe N, Harata M, Nitta Y, Murao M, Nakano T, Arima Y, Shimazaki H, Suzuki K, Yoshioka K: A new index for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis. World J Gastroenterol. 2010, 16: 4809-4816. 10.3748/wjg.v16.i38.4809.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral

58.

Imbert-Bismut F, Ratziu V: Laurence Pieroni L, Charlotte F, Benhamou Y, Poynard T, Group M: Biochemical markers of liver fibrosis in patients with hepatitis C virus infection: a prospective study. Lancet. 2001, 357: 1069-1075. 10.1016/S0140-6736(00)04258-6.CrossRefPubMed

59.

Islam S, Antonsson L, Westin J, Lagging M: Cirrhosis in hepatitis C virus-infected patients can be excluded using an index of standard biochemical serum markers. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2005, 40: 867-872. 10.1080/00365520510015674.CrossRefPubMed

60.

Lackner C, Struber G, Liegl B, Leibl S, Ofner P, Bankuti C, Bauer B, Stauber RE: Comparison and validation of simple noninvasive tests for prediction of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology. 2005, 41: 1376-1382. 10.1002/hep.20717.CrossRefPubMed

61.

Loaeza-del-Castillo A, Paz-Pineda F, Oviedo-Cárdenas E, Sánchez-Avila F, Vargas-Vorácková F: AST to platelet ratio index (APRI) for the noninvasive evaluation of liver fibrosis. Ann Hepatol. 2008, 7: 350-357.PubMed

62.

Lu SN, Wang JH, Liu SL, Hung CH, Chen CH, Tung HD, Chen TM, Huang WS, Lee CM, Chen CC, Changchien CS: Thrombocytopenia as a surrogate for cirrhosis and a marker for the identification of patients at high-risk for hepatocellular carcinoma. Cancer. 2006, 107: 2212-2222. 10.1002/cncr.22242.CrossRefPubMed

63.

Martinez SM, Fernández-Varo G, González P, Sampson E, Bruguera M, Navasa M, Jiménez W, Sánchez-Tapias JM, Forns X: Assessment of liver fibrosis before and after antiviral therapy by different serum marker panels in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011, 33: 138-148. 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2010.04500.x.CrossRefPubMed

64.

Morali G, Maor Y, Klar R, Braun M, Ari ZB, Bujanover Y, Zuckerman E, Boger S, Halfon P: Fibrotest-Actitest: the biochemical marker of liver fibrosis–the Israeli experience. Isr Med Assoc J. 2007, 9: 588-591.PubMed

65.

Morra R, Munteanu M, Bedossa P, Dargere D, Janneau JL, Paradis V, Ratziu V, Charlotte F, Thibault V, Imbert-Bismut F, Poynard T: Diagnostic value of serum protein profiling by SELDI-TOF ProteinChip compared with a biochemical marker, FibroTest, for the diagnosis of advanced fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007, 26: 847-858. 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2007.03427.x.CrossRefPubMed

66.

Omran MM, Farid K, Emran TM, Attallah AA: Fibro-(alpha) score as a simple and useful non-invasive test for predicting significant liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients. Arab J Gastroenterol. 2011, 12: 74-79. 10.1016/j.ajg.2011.04.006.CrossRefPubMed

67.

Parise ER, Oliveira AC, Figueiredo-Mendes C, Lanzoni V, Martins J, Nader H, Ferraz ML: Noninvasive serum markers in the diagnosis of structural liver damage in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Liver Int. 2006, 26: 1095-1099. 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2006.01356.x.CrossRefPubMed

68.

Park SH, Kim CH, Kim DJ, Suk KT, Park JH, Cheong JY, Cho SW, Hwang SG, Lee YJ, Cho M, Yang JM, Park HY, Kim YB: Diagnostic value of multiple biomarker panel for prediction of significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Clin Biochem. 2011, 44: 1396-1399. 10.1016/j.clinbiochem.2011.08.1151.CrossRefPubMed

69.

Park JJ, Park JY, Kimdo Y, Park YN, Ahn SH, Chon CY, Han KH: Prediction of significant fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C patients with normal ALT. Hepatogastroenterology. 2011, 58: 1321-1327. 10.5754/hge11041.CrossRefPubMed

70.

Parkes J, Guha I, Roderick P, Harris S, Cross R, Manos M, Irving W, Zaitoun A, Wheatley M, Ryder S, Rosenberg W: Enhanced Liver Fibrosis (ELF) test accurately identifies liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Viral Hepatitis. 2010, 18: 23-31.CrossRef

71.

Patel K, Benhamou Y, Yoshida EM, Kaita KD, Zeuzem S, Torbenson M, Pulkstenis E, Subramanian GM, McHutchison JG: An independent and prospective comparison of two commercial fibrosis marker panels (HCV FibroSURE and FIBROSpect II) during albinterferon alfa-2b combination therapy for chronic hepatitis C. J Vir Hep. 2009, 16: 178-186. 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2008.01062.x.CrossRef

72.

Poynard T, Imbert-Bismut F, Ratziu V, Chevret S, Jardel C, Moussalli J, Messous D: Degos F, for the Gcg: Biochemical markers of liver fibrosis in patients infected by hepatitis C virus: longitudinal validation in a randomized trial. J Vir Hep. 2002, 9: 128-133. 10.1046/j.1365-2893.2002.00341.x.CrossRef

73.

Poynard T, McHutchison J, Manns M, Myers R, Albrecht J: Biochemical surrogate markers of liver fibrosis and activity in a randomized trial of peginterferon alfa-2b and ribavirin. Hepatology. 2003, 38: 481-492.CrossRefPubMed

74.

Rosenberg W, Voelker M, Thiel R, Becka M, Burt A, Schuppan D, Hubscher S, Roskams T, Pinzani M, Arthur M: Serum markers detect the presence of liver fibrosis: a cohort study. Gastroenterology. 2004, 127: 1704-1713. 10.1053/j.gastro.2004.08.052.CrossRefPubMed

75.

Schneider AR, Teuber G, Kriener S, Caspary WF: Noninvasive assessment of liver steatosis, fibrosis and inflammation in chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Liver Int. 2005, 25: 1150-1155. 10.1111/j.1478-3231.2005.01164.x.CrossRefPubMed

76.

Schneider AR, Teuber G, Paul K, Nikodem A, Duesterhoeft M, Caspary WF, Stein J: Patient age is a strong independent predictor of 13C-aminopyrine breath test results: a comparative study with histology, duplex-Doppler and a laboratory index in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2006, 33: 300-304. 10.1111/j.1440-1681.2006.04365.x.CrossRefPubMed

77.

Shlomai A, Halfon P, Goldiner I, Zelber-Sagi S, Halpern Z, Oren R, Bruck R: Serum bile acid levels as a predictor for the severity of liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C. J Viral Hepat. 2013, 20: 95-102. 10.1111/j.1365-2893.2012.01628.x.CrossRefPubMed

78.

Sirli R, Sporea I, Bota S, Popescu A, Cornianu M: A comparative study of non-invasive methods for fibrosis assessment in chronic HCV infection. Hepat Mon. 2010, 10: 88-94.PubMedPubMedCentral

79.

Snyder N, Gajula L, Xiao S-Y, Grady J, Luxon B, Lau DT-Y, Soloway R, Petersen J: APRI: An easy and validated predictor of hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006, 40: 535-542. 10.1097/00004836-200607000-00013.CrossRefPubMed

80.

Snyder N, Nguyen A, Gajula L, Soloway R, Xiao SY, Lau DTY, Petersen J: The APRI may be enhanced by the use of the FIBROSpect II in the estimation of fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C. Clin Chim Acta. 2007, 381: 119-123. 10.1016/j.cca.2007.02.046.CrossRefPubMed

81.

Testa R, Testa E, Giannini E, Borro P, Milazzo S, Isola L, Ceppa P, Lantieri PB, Risso D: Noninvasive ratio indexes to evaluate fibrosis staging in chronic hepatitis C: role of platelet count/spleen diameter ratio index. J Int Med. 2006, 260: 142-150. 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2006.01673.x.CrossRef

82.

Borsoi Viana MS, Takei K, Collarile Yamaguti DC, Guz B, Strauss E: Use of AST platelet ratio index (APRI Score) as an alternative to liver biopsy for treatment indication in chronic hepatitis C. Ann Hepatol. 2009, 8: 26-31.PubMed

83.

Westin J, Ydreborg M, Islam S, Alsio A, Dhillon AP, Pawlotsky JM, Zeuzem S, Schalm SW, Ferrari C, Neumann AU, Hellstrand K, Lagging M: A non-invasive fibrosis score predicts treatment outcome in chronic hepatitis C infection. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2008, 43: 78-80.CrossRef

84.

Wilson L, Torbenson M, Astemborski J, Faruki H, Spoler C, Rai R, Mehta S, Kirk G, Nelson K, Afdhal N, Thomas D: Progression of liver fibrosis among injection drug users with chronic hepatitis C. Hepatology. 2006, 43: 788-795. 10.1002/hep.21091.CrossRefPubMed

85.

Yilmaz Y, Yonal O, Kurt R, Bayrak M, Aktas B, Ozdogan O: Noninvasive assessment of liver fibrosis with the aspartate transaminase to platelet ratio index (APRI): usefulness in patients with chronic liver disease. Hepat Mon. 2011, 11: 103-107.PubMedPubMedCentral

86.

Zarski J-P, Sturm N, Guechot J, Paris A, Zafrani E-S, Asselah T, Boisson R-C, Bosson J-L, Guyader D, Renversez J-C, Bronowicki JP, Gelineau MC, Tran A, Trocme C, De Ledinghen V, Lasnier E, Poujol-Robert A, Ziegler F, Bourliere M, Voitot H, Larrey D, Rosenthal-Allieri MA, Fourchard Hubert I, Bailly F, Vaubourdolle M: Comparison of nine blood tests and transient elastography for liver fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C: the ANRS HCEP-23 study. J Hepatol. 2012, 56: 55-62. 10.1016/j.jhep.2011.05.024.CrossRefPubMed

87.

Jaeschke R, Guyatt GH, Sackett DL: Users’ guides to the medical literature. III. How to use an article about a diagnostic test. B. What are the results and will they help me in caring for my patients? The Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. JAMA. 1994, 271: 703-707. 10.1001/jama.1994.03510330081039.CrossRefPubMed

88.

Selph S, Chou R: Impact of Contacting Study Authors on Systematic Review Conclusions: Diagnostic Tests for Hepatic Fibrosis. Research White Paper. (Prepared by the Pacific Northwest Evidence-based Practice Center under Contract No. 290-2012-00014-I). AHRQ Publication No. 14-EHC004-EF. 2014, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Rockville

Title: Impact of contacting study authors to obtain additional data for systematic reviews: diagnostic accuracy studies for hepatic fibrosis
Authors: Shelley S Selph
Alexander D Ginsburg
Roger Chou
Publication date: 01-12-2014
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: Systematic Reviews / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/2046-4053-3-107

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Impact of contacting study authors to obtain additional data for systematic reviews: diagnostic accuracy studies for hepatic fibrosis

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Please log in to get access to this content

Other articles of this Issue 1/2014

Trends in child and adolescent obesity prevalence according to socioeconomic position: protocol for a systematic review

The association between sleep disturbances and suicidal behaviors in patients with psychiatric diagnoses: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Effectiveness of brief interventions as part of the Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model for reducing the nonmedical use of psychoactive substances: a systematic review

Vitamin D and kidney transplant outcomes: a protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Efficacy and safety of damage control in experimental animal models of injury: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis