Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38271592›Full record

SynthesisFamily practice2024

Accuracy of diagnostic tests for acute diverticulitis that are feasible in primary care: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Natasja D Vijfschagt, Michiel R de Boer, Marjolein Y Berger, Huibert Burger, Gea A Holtman

Open access · greenAbstract readMeta-AnalysisSystematic Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Family practice, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed, 2 pooled it
2.3field-weighted citation impact, top 14% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it, 4 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Pooled it
  3. Article
  4. Antibiotics for acute diverticulitis.Canadian family physician Medecin de famille canadien · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Natasja D VijfschagtDepartment of Primary- and Long-term Care, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-5523-1904
Michiel R de BoerDepartment of Primary- and Long-term Care, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-9240-0199
Marjolein Y BergerDepartment of Primary- and Long-term Care, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-9906-3666
Huibert BurgerDepartment of Primary- and Long-term Care, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-6484-0349
Gea A HoltmanDepartment of Primary- and Long-term Care, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.ORCID 0000-0001-6579-767X
University Medical Center Groningen · NL

Funding

NWO 09150161810046
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundRecognition of acute diverticulitis is important to determine an adequate management strategy. Differentiating it from other gastrointestinal disorders is challenging as symptoms overlap. Clinical tests might assist the clinician with this diagnostic challenge. Previous reviews have focussed on prognostic questions and imaging examinations in secondary care.

objectiveTo evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of clinical tests feasible in primary care for acute diverticulitis in suspected patients.

methodWe have systematically searched multiple databases for diagnostic accuracy studies of tests feasible in primary care compared to a reference standard in suspected patients. Two reviewers independently selected studies, extracted data, and assessed study quality with the QUADAS-2 tool. We have meta-analysed the results in the case of more than four studies per index test.

resultsSeventeen studies were included, all studies were performed in secondary care (median prevalence 48%). Individual signs and symptoms showed a wide range in sensitivity (range 0.00-0.98) and specificity (range 0.08-1.00). Of the four laboratory tests evaluated, CRP >10 mg/l had the highest sensitivity (range 0.89-0.96) with specificity ranging from 0.28 to 0.61. Ultrasound had the highest pooled sensitivity and specificity of 0.92 (95% CI 0.86-0.96) and 0.94 (95% CI 0.88-0.97), respectively.

conclusionNone of the studies were performed in primary care. Individual signs and symptoms alone are insufficiently informative for acute diverticulitis diagnosis. CRP showed potential for ruling out and ultrasound had a high diagnostic accuracy. More research is needed about the diagnostic accuracy of these tests in primary care. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42021230622.

Indexed as

Diagnostic Tests, RoutinePrimary Health CareHumansSensitivity and SpecificityUltrasonographyC-reactive proteindiverticulitisgeneral practicesensitivity and specificitysigns and symptomsultrasonography

Identifiers

PMID38271592
PMCPMC10901479
OpenAlexW4391215004

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.