No role for quality scores in systematic reviews of diagnostic accuracy studies

摘要: There is a lack of consensus regarding the use quality scores in diagnostic systematic reviews. The objective this study was to different methods weighting items included assessment tool for accuracy studies (QUADAS) produce an overall score, and examine effects incorporating these into review. We developed five schemes QUADAS scores. used three investigate on test performance. set 28 that assessed ultrasound diagnosis vesico-ureteral reflux children. individual from same produced scoring ranked orders; especially evident intermediate studies. Comparing results stratified as "high" "low" based resulted conclusions estimates depending method score. A similar effect observed when were meta-regression analysis continuous variables, although differences less apparent. Quality should not be incorporated Incorporation review involve investigation association with accuracy, rather than using combined