Identifying studies for systematic reviews of diagnostic tests was difficult due to the poor sensitivity and precision of methodologic filters and the lack of information in the abstract.
OBJECTIVE
Methods to identify studies for systematic reviews of diagnostic accuracy are less well developed than for reviews of intervention studies. This study assessed (1) the sensitivity and precision of five published search strategies and (2) the reliability and accuracy of reviewers screening the results of the search strategy.


METHODS
We compared the results of the search filters with the studies included in two systematic reviews, and assessed the interobserver reliability of two reviewers screening the list of articles generated by a search strategy.


RESULTS
In the first review, the search strategy published by van der Weijden had the greatest sensitivity, and in the second, four search strategies had 100% sensitivity. There was "substantial" agreement between two reviewers, but in the first review each reviewer working on their own would have missed one paper eligible for inclusion in the review. Ascertainment intersection techniques indicate that it is unlikely that further papers have been missed in the screening process.


CONCLUSIONS
Published search strategies may miss papers for reviews of diagnostic test accuracy. Papers are not easily identified as studies of diagnostic test accuracy, and the lack of information in the abstract makes it difficult to assess the eligibility for inclusion in a systematic review.
Doust
J A
JA
University of Queensland, School of Medicine, Center for General Practice, Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane, Qld 4006, Australia. j.doust@uq.edu.au
Pietrzak
E
E
Sanders
S
S
Glasziou
P P
PP
D000043:Abstracting and Indexing; D000158:Acoustic Impedance Tests / Q000379:methods; D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000175:diagnosis; D016239:MEDLINE; D045265:Natriuretic Peptides; D015588:Observer Variation; D010034:Otitis Media with Effusion / Q000175:diagnosis; D012196:Review Literature as Topic
D045265:Natriuretic Peptides