Summary

The statistical models developed for meta-analysis of diagnostic test accuracy studies require specialised knowledge to implement. This is especially true since recent guidelines, such as those in Version 2 of the Cochrane Handbook of Systematic Reviews of Diagnostic Test Accuracy, advocate more sophisticated methods than previously. This paper describes a web-based application – MetaBayesDTA – that makes many advanced analysis methods in this area more accessible.

We created the app using R, the Shiny package and Stan. It allows for a broad array of analyses based on the bivariate model including extensions for subgroup analysis, meta-regression and comparative test accuracy evaluation. It also conducts analyses not assuming a perfect reference standard, including allowing for the use of different reference tests.

Due to its user-friendliness and broad array of features, MetaBayesDTA should appeal to researchers with varying levels of expertise. We anticipate that the application will encourage higher levels of uptake of more advanced methods, which ultimately should improve the quality of test accuracy reviews.

Access Application

The web application can be accessed here: https://crsu.shinyapps.io/MetaBayesDTA/.

A toy dataset, R and Stan code for the web application is available at: https://github.com/CRSU-Apps/MetaBayesDTA.

Application Tutorial

Available tutorial how to navigate through the application available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UqouZ7EQc1w&t=36s