Grading confidence in the estimates of test accuracy and preparing 'Summary of findings' tables for diagnostic reviews

Article type
Authors
Mustafa R1, Schuenemann H1, Langendam M2, Leeflang M3, Bossuyt P4, Scholten R5, Hyde C6, Deurenberg-Gopalakrishna G4, Brozek J7
1McMaster University
2Department Clinical Epidemiology, University of Amsterdam
3Screening and Diagnostic Test Methods Group
4University of Amsterdam, Netherlands
5Dutch Cochrane Centre, Netherlands
6University of Exeter, UK
7Cochrane Applicability and Recommendations Methods Group, Canada
Abstract
Objective:
To discuss how to assess the confidence in the estimates of diagnostic test accuracy (DTA) and prepare a summary of findings table for DTA reviews.

Description:
Authors of Cochrane Review and numerous other organizations follow the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach to grade the confidence in the estimates of effects of interventions. Cochrane authors present them in 'Summary of findings' (SoF) tables that include the most important information from a review in a clear, tabular format. The GRADE Working Group has also suggested an approach to grading the confidence in the estimates of test accuracy and presenting it in SoF tables. Suggested formats for SoF tables for DTA reviews have been developed and tested with support from the Cochrane Methods Innovation Fund. This workshop will introduce the approach and collect feedback through hands-on work with examples.