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Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic studies: a practical guideline

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Abstract

Background

Actually, systematic reviews and meta-analyses are the cornerstone of evidence-based practice and the number of these evidence-based articles on diagnostic studies is increasing.

Objective

The aim of this article is to provide a practical guideline for the researchers who intend to perform a systematic review or meta-analysis of diagnostic studies.

Methods

A guideline was prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) and Cochrane handbook for systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy.

Results

Several steps needed for systematic reviews or meta-analyses of diagnostic studies are briefly discussed (i.e. formulating the question of systematic reviews, search strategy, inclusion and exclusion criteria, quality assessment of the included studies, data extraction, pooling diagnostic indices across studies, reporting heterogeneity and discussion of main findings).

Conclusion

To publish a high-quality systematic review or meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy, certain methodology should be followed. Only methodologically sound systematic reviews or meta-analyses can change or support the clinical use of a diagnostic test.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Nuclear Medicine Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

    Ramin Sadeghi

  2. Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET/CT Centre, Oncology Institute of Southern Switzerland, Via Ospedale 12, 6500, Bellinzona, Switzerland

    Giorgio Treglia

Authors
  1. Ramin Sadeghi
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  2. Giorgio Treglia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giorgio Treglia.

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Conflict of interest

All authors (Ramin Sadeghi and Giorgio Treglia) declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.

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Cite this article

Sadeghi, R., Treglia, G. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses of diagnostic studies: a practical guideline. Clin Transl Imaging 5, 83–87 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40336-016-0219-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40336-016-0219-2

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