Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy

Abstract

TheR-packagemadais a tool for the meta-analysis of diagnostic accuracy. In con-trast to univariate meta-analysis, diagnostic meta-analysis requires bivariate models. Anadditional challenge is to provide a summary receiver operating characteristic curves thatseek to integrate receiver operator characteristic curves of primary studies. The packageimplements the approach ofReitsma, Glas, Rutjes, Scholten, Bossuyt, and Zwinderman(2005), which in the absence of covariates is equivalent to the HSROC model ofRutterand Gatsonis(2001). More recent models byDoebler, Holling, and Bohning(2012) andHolling, Bohning, and Bohning(2012b) are also available, including meta-regression forthe ⬚rst approach. In addition a range of functions for descriptive statistics and graphicsare provided.