A guide to conducting systematic reviews of test accuracy

In Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy, a team of distinguished researchers deliver the official guide to preparing and maintaining systematic reviews of test accuracy in healthcare. This first edition of the Handbook contains guidance on understanding test accuracy measures, search strategies and study selection, understanding meta-analysis and risk of bias and applicability assessments, presentation of findings, and drawing conclusions.

Readers will also find:

• An introduction to test evaluation, including the purposes of medical testing, test accuracy and the impact of tests on patient outcomes
• Comprehensive explorations of the design of test accuracy studies, including discussions of reference standards and comparative test accuracy studies
• Considerations of the methods and presentation of systematic reviews of test accuracy
• Elaboration of study selection, data collection, and undertaking risk of bias and applicability assessments

Perfect for medical practitioners and clinicians, Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy will also benefit professionals in epidemiology and students in related fields.

Jonathan J. Deeks is Professor at the Institute of Applied Health Research at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom. He is a member of Cochrane’s Diagnostic Test Accuracy Editorial team.

Patrick M. Bossuyt is Professor at the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science in the Netherlands.

Mariska M. Leeflang is Associate Professor at the Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Department of Epidemiology and Data Science in the Netherlands. She is a Convenor of Cochrane’s Screening and Diagnostic Tests Methods Group.

Yemisi Takwoingi is Professor at the Institute of Applied Health Research at the University of Birmingham, UK and a Convenor of Cochrane’s Screening and Diagnostic Tests Methods Group.