Table 1 Single term with the best sensitivity (keeping specificity ≥50%), best specificity (keeping sensitivity ≥50%), and best optimization of sensitivity and specificity (based on the lowest possible absolute difference between sensitivity and specificity) for detecting costs and economics studies in EMBASE in 2000. Values are percentages (95% CIs).
From: Optimal search strategies for detecting cost and economic studies in EMBASE
Search term OVID search* | Sensitivity (%) (Cost: n = 183; Economics: n = 31) | Specificity (%) (Cost: n = 27586; Economics: n = 27738) | Precision (%)†| Accuracy (%) (n = 27769) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Best sensitivity – Costs exp economic aspect | 98.9 (97.40 to 100.41) | 93.1 (92.84 to 93.44) | 8.7 (7.51 to 9.94) | 93.2 (92.88 to 93.47) |
Best sensitivity – Economics cost:.tw. | 96.8 (90.55 to 102.99) | 97.5 (97.31 to 97.67) | 4.1 (2.68 to 5.58) | 97.5 (97.31 to 97.67) |
Best specificity – Costs cost effective:.tw. | 54.1 (46.88 to 61.32) | 99.4 (99.36 to 99.54) | 39.4 (33.40 to 45.49) | 99.2 (99.04 to 99.26) |
Best specificity – Economics cost effective:.tw. | 64.5 (47.67 to 81.36) | 99.2 (99.06 to 99.28) | 8.0 (4.64 to 11.36) | 99.1 (99.02 to 99.24) |
Best Optimization of Sensitivity & Specificity – Costs cost:.tw. | 96.2 (93.40 to 98.95) | 98.0 (97.82 to 98.15) | 24.0 (20.95 to 27.14) | 98.0 (97.81 to 98.14) |
Best Optimization of Sensitivity & Specificity – Economics cost:.tw. | 96.8 (90.55 to 102.99) | 97.5 (97.31 to 97.67) | 4.1 (2.68 to 5.58) | 97.5 (97.31 to 97.67) |