title: Comparing the accuracy of quantitative versus qualitative analyses of interim PET to prognosticate Hodgkin lymphoma: a systematic review protocol of diagnostic test accuracy.
abstract: Hodgkin lymphoma is an effectively treated malignancy, yet 20% of patients relapse or are refractory to front-line treatments with potentially fatal outcomes. Early detection of poor treatment responders is crucial for appropriate application of tailored treatment strategies. Tumour metabolic imaging of Hodgkin lymphoma using visual (qualitative) 18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) is a gold standard for staging and final outcome assessment, but results gathered during the interim period are less accurate. Analysis of continuous metabolic-morphological data (quantitative) FDG-PET may enhance the robustness of interim disease monitoring, and help to improve treatment decision-making processes. The objective of this review is to compare diagnostic test accuracy of quantitative versus qualitative interim FDG-PET in the prognostication of patients with Hodgkin lymphoma.
  
  
  
  The literature on this topic will be reviewed in a 3-step strategy that follows methods described by the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). First, MEDLINE and EMBASE databases will be searched. Second, listed databases for published literature (MEDLINE, Tripdatabase, Pedro, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and WoS) and unpublished literature (Open Grey, Current Controlled Trials, MedNar, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cos Conference Papers Index and International Clinical Trials Registry Platform of the WHO) will be queried. Third, 2 independent reviewers will analyse titles, abstracts and full texts, and perform hand search of relevant studies, and then perform critical appraisal and data extraction from selected studies using the DATARI tool (JBI). If possible, a statistical meta-analysis will be performed on pooled sensitivity and specificity data gathered from the selected studies. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed. Funnel plots, Begg's rank correlations and Egger's regression tests will be used to detect and/or correct publication bias.
  
  
  
  The results will be disseminated by publishing in a peer-reviewed journal. Ethical assessment will not be needed; only existing sources of literature will be searched.
  
  
  
  CRD42016027953.
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Hemato-Oncology, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Vít
authors: V
authors: Procházka
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Czech Republic (Middle European) Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: An Affiliated Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Miloslav
authors: M
authors: Klugar
authors: Division of Hematology, Oncology and Transplantation University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
authors: Veronika
authors: V
authors: Bachanova
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Hemato-Oncology, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Czech Republic (Middle European) Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: An Affiliated Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Jitka
authors: J
authors: Klugarová
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Social Medicine and Public Health, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, The Czech Republic (Middle European) Centre for Evidence-Based Health Care: An Affiliated Centre of the Joanna Briggs Institute, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Dagmar
authors: D
authors: Tučková
authors: Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Hemato-Oncology, Palacký University in Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Tomáš
authors: T
authors: Papajík
mesh_terms: D055088:Early Detection of Cancer / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D006689:Hodgkin Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography; D012107:Research Design; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D000078202:Systematic Reviews as Topic
keywords: PET; SUV; TLG; hodgkin lymphoma