Rapid antigen group A streptococcus test to diagnose pharyngitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pharyngitis management guidelines include estimates of the test characteristics of rapid antigen streptococcus tests (RAST) using a non-systematic approach.

Objective

To examine the sensitivity and specificity, and sources of variability, of RAST for diagnosing group A streptococcal (GAS) pharyngitis.

Data sources

MEDLINE, Cochrane Reviews, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Scopus, SciELO, CINAHL, guidelines, 2000-2012.

Study selection

Culture as reference standard, all languages.

Data extraction and synthesis

Study characteristics, quality.

Main outcome(s) and measure(s)

Sensitivity, specificity.

Results

We included 59 studies encompassing 55,766 patients. Forty three studies (18,464 patients) fulfilled the higher quality de

SUBMITTER: Stewart EH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4219770 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature