Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39762771›Full record

SynthesisBMC infectious diseases2025

The impact of age on comparative diagnostic accuracy of temporal artery thermometers and non-contact infrared thermometers for fever detection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Kwo-Chen Lee, Yun-Ping Lin, Ya-Ling Tzeng, Wen-Chun Liao, Chyi Lo, Pei-Yun Chen, Shu-Hua Lu

Erratum issuedAbstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisComparative Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC infectious diseases, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

3 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
  3. Use of a Kiosk-Model Self-Triage System for COVID-19 Triage.Risk management and healthcare policy · 2025
    Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Kwo-Chen LeeSchool of Nursing, China Medical University, 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
Yun-Ping LinSchool of Nursing, China Medical University, 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
Ya-Ling TzengSchool of Nursing, China Medical University, 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
Wen-Chun LiaoSchool of Nursing, China Medical University, 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
Chyi LoSchool of Nursing, China Medical University, 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan.
Pei-Yun ChenJenteh Junior College of Medicine, Nursing and Management, Miaoli, Taiwan.
Shu-Hua LuSchool of Nursing, China Medical University, 100, Sec. 1, Jingmao Rd, Taichung, 406040, Taiwan. shuhua@mail.cmu.edu.tw.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundNon-invasive temporal artery thermometers (TATs) and non-contact infrared thermometers (NCITs) are increasingly used in community settings to measure body temperature. Existing research predominantly focuses on pediatric populations, yet the accuracy and precision of TATs and NCITs for fever screening across age groups remain unclear. This study aims to assess age-related differences in the diagnostic accuracy of TATs and NCITs for fever detection.

methodsA systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, sourcing data from PubMed, MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, ProQuest, and Web of Science. Prospective studies comparing TATs and NCITs against body temperature measurement methods were included. Two independent researchers extracted data, and study quality was assessed with the QUADAS-2 tool. Pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity, and the hierarchical summary area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated using STATA version 17.

resultsThis meta-analysis included 34 studies with 28,996 participants, of whom 5,358 were febrile. For TATs, 22 studies with 9,894 readings yielded a pooled sensitivity of 0.59 (95% CI: 0.40-0.76) and specificity of 0.91 (95% CI: 0.83-0.96). Sensitivity was higher at fever thresholds > 38 °C (0.71, 95% CI: 0.60-0.80), and higher in children (0.77, 95% CI: 0.66-0.85) than in adults (0.48, 95% CI: 0.30-0.67). Similar sensitivities were observed between rectal and other standards (0.70, 95% CI: 0.59-0.80 vs. 0.70, 95% CI: 0.41-0.89). For NCITs, 16 studies with 14,234 readings yielded a pooled sensitivity of 0.70 (95% CI: 0.54-0.82) and specificity of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90-0.97). Sensitivity improved at fever thresholds > 38 °C (from 0.70 to 0.75, 95% CI: 0.55-0.88) and was higher in children compared to the overall estimate (0.79 vs. 0.70, 95% CI: 0.62-0.90). Comparable sensitivities were noted between axillary and other standards (0.73, 95% CI: 0.30-0.94 vs. 0.75, 95% CI: 0.49-0.90).

conclusionsTATs and NCITs show variable diagnostic accuracy across age groups, with higher sensitivity in children and at elevated fever thresholds. This variability underscores the importance of age-specific use of these thermometers and highlights the need for further research to optimize diagnostic performance across populations.

Indexed as

FeverSensitivity and SpecificityTemporal ArteriesThermometersThermometryAdultAge FactorsBody TemperatureChildHumansROC CurveDiagnostic accuracyNon-contact infrared thermometersSensitivitySpecificityTemporal artery thermometers

Identifiers

PMID39762771
PMCPMC11702092

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Registered trials

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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.