Diagnostic accuracy of conventional or age adjusted D-dimer cut-off values in older patients with suspected venous thromboembolism: systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To review the diagnostic accuracy of D-dimer testing in older patients (>50 years) with suspected venous thromboembolism, using conventional or age adjusted D-dimer cut-off values.

Design

Systematic review and bivariate random effects meta-analysis.

Data sources

We searched Medline and Embase for studies published before 21 June 2012 and we contacted the authors of primary studies.

Study selection

Primary studies that enrolled older patients with suspected venous thromboembolism in whom D-dimer testing, using both conventional (500 µg/L) and age adjusted (age × 10 µg/L) cut-off values, and reference testing were performed. For patients with a non-high clinical probability, 2 × 2 tables were reconstructed and stratified by age category and applied D-di

SUBMITTER: Schouten HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3643284 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature