Table 1 Performance of search terms and filters designed for retrieving systematic reviews in MEDLINE
From: An optimal search filter for retrieving systematic reviews and meta-analyses
Search filter | Sensitivity* | Specificity** | Precision | Number needed to read |
|---|---|---|---|---|
health-evidence.ca | ||||
health-evidence.ca SR search filter | 89.9 (85.0, 93.3) | 98.9 (98.9, 98.9) | 1.4 (1.3, 1.5) | 71.4 (68.7, 75.5) |
Montori, et. al (2005) | ||||
Sensitive query | 99.0 (96.5, 99.7) | 62.0 (62.0, 62.0) | 0 (0, 0) | 2191.2 (2166.3, 2284.3) |
‘Balanced query’ (sensitivity > specificity) | 99.0 (96.5, 99.7) | 87.6 (87.6, 87.6) | 0.1 (0.1, 0.1) | 712.4 (706.7, 733.4) |
Balanced query (specificity > sensitivity) | 87.9 (82.8, 91.7) | 98.5 (98.5, 98.5) | 1.1 (1.0, 1.1) | 94.9 (90.9, 100.9) |
Specific query | 81.6 (75.8, 86.3) | 99.3 (99.3, 99.3) | 2.0 (1.9, 2.3) | 49.4 (46.7, 53.2) |
Shojania and Bero (2001) | 85.5 (80.1, 89.7) | 99.1 (99.1, 99.1) | 1.7 (1.6, 1.8) | 57.8 (55.1, 61.8) |
Hunt and McKibbon (1997)4 terms | 69.6 (63.0, 75.4) | 99.4 (99.4, 99.4) | 1.9 (1.7, 2.0) | 53.9 (49.7, 59.6) |
Hunt and McKibbon (1997)8 terms | 85.5 (80.1, 89.7) | 99.2 (99.2, 99.2) | 1.9 (1.8, 2.0) | 53.4 (50.9, 57.0) |
Boynton, et. al (1998) | ||||
Sensitivity maximiser | 99.5 (97.3, 99.9) | 75.6 (75.6, 75.6) | 0.1 (0.1, 0.1) | 1395.1 (1387.7, 1437.2) |
Precision query (> 70%) | 47.8 (41.2, 54.6) | 99.6 (99.6, 99.6) | 2.1 (1.8, 2.5) | 46.7 (40.9, 54.4) |
BMJ Clinical Evidence | 88.9 (83.9, 92.5) | 99.0 (99.0, 99.0) | 1.6 (1.5, 1.7) | 61.7 (59.3, 65.5) |
Centre for Reviews and Dissemination | ||||
For inclusion in DARE | 92.8 (88.4, 95.6) | 95.7 (95.7, 95.7) | 0.4 (0.4, 0.4) | 262.2 (254.2, 275.8) |
Strategy 1 | 99.0 (96.5, 99.7) | 71.2 (71.2, 71.2) | 0.1 (0.1, 0.1) | 1693.1 (1659.8, 1773.3) |
Strategy 2.1 | 99.5 (97.3, 99.9) | 87.4 (87.4, 87.4) | 0.1 (0.1, 0.1) | 717.5 (714.2, 736.1) |
Strategy 2.2 | 99.0 (96.5, 99.7) | 88.9 (88.9, 88.9) | 0.2 (0.2, 0.2) | 636.0 (631.0, 654.5) |
Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network Filter | 87.0 (81.7, 90.9) | 99.2 (99.2, 99.2) | 1.9 (1.8, 2.0) | 52.0 (49.7, 55.4) |