Comparison of sputum collection methods for tuberculosis diagnosis: a systematic review and pairwise and network meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The performance of laboratory tests to diagnose pulmonary tuberculosis is dependent on the quality of the sputum sample tested. The relative merits of sputum collection methods to improve tuberculosis diagnosis are poorly characterised. We therefore aimed to investigate the effects of sputum collection methods on tuberculosis diagnosis.

Methods

We did a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate whether non-invasive sputum collection methods in people aged at least 12 years improve the diagnostic performance of laboratory testing for pulmonary tuberculosis. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Embase up to April 14, 2017, to identify relevant experimental, case-control, or cohort studies. We analysed data by pairwise me

SUBMITTER: Datta S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5567202 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature