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Published in: Systematic Reviews 1/2017

Open Access 01-12-2017 | Research

Recommendations for reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic test accuracy: a systematic review

Authors: Trevor A. McGrath, Mostafa Alabousi, Becky Skidmore, Daniël A. Korevaar, Patrick M. M. Bossuyt, David Moher, Brett Thombs, Matthew D. F. McInnes

Published in: Systematic Reviews | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

Background

This study is to perform a systematic review of existing guidance on quality of reporting and methodology for systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) in order to compile a list of potential items that might be included in a reporting guideline for such reviews: Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Diagnostic Test Accuracy (PRISMA-DTA).

Methods

Study protocol published on EQUATOR website. Articles in full text or abstract form that reported on any aspect of reporting systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy were eligible for inclusion. We used the Ovid platform to search Ovid MEDLINE®, Ovid MEDLINE® In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations and Embase Classic+Embase through May 5, 2016. The Cochrane Methodology Register in the Cochrane Library (Wiley version) was also searched. Title and abstract screening followed by full-text screening of all search results was performed independently by two investigators. Guideline organization websites, published guidance statements, and the Cochrane Handbook for Diagnostic Test Accuracy were also searched. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Standards for Reporting Diagnostic Accuracy (STARD) were assessed independently by two investigators for relevant items.

Results

The literature searched yielded 6967 results; 386 were included after title and abstract screening and 203 after full-text screening. After reviewing the existing literature and guidance documents, a preliminary list of 64 items was compiled into the following categories: title (three items); introduction (two items); methods (35 items); results (13 items); discussion (nine items), and disclosure (two items).

Conclusion

Items on the methods and reporting of DTA systematic reviews in the present systematic review will provide a basis for generating a PRISMA extension for DTA systematic reviews.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Recommendations for reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic test accuracy: a systematic review
Authors
Trevor A. McGrath
Mostafa Alabousi
Becky Skidmore
Daniël A. Korevaar
Patrick M. M. Bossuyt
David Moher
Brett Thombs
Matthew D. F. McInnes
Publication date
01-12-2017
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Systematic Reviews / Issue 1/2017
Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-017-0590-8

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