Meta-analysis of number needed to treat for diagnosis of melanoma by clinical setting - 14/04/20
![](/templates/common/images/mail.png)
Abstract |
Objective |
To provide a formal statistical comparison of the efficacy of melanoma detection among different clinical settings.
Methods |
A systematic review and meta-analysis of all relevant observational studies on number needed to treat (NNT) in relation to melanoma was performed in MEDLINE. We performed a random-effects model meta-analysis and reported NNTs with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The subgroup analysis was related to clinical setting.
Results |
In all, 29 articles including a total of 398,549 biopsies/excisions were analyzed. The overall NNT was 9.71 (95% CI, 7.72-12.29): 22.62 (95% CI, 12.95-40.10) for primary care, 9.60 (95% CI, 6.97-13.41) for dermatology, and 5.85 (95% CI, 4.24-8.27) for pigmented lesion specialists.
Limitations |
There is heterogeneity in data reporting and the possibility of missing studies. In addition, the incidence of melanoma varies among clinical settings, which could affect NNT calculations.
Conclusion |
Pigmented lesion specialists have the lowest NNT, followed by dermatologists, suggesting that involving specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of pigmented skin lesions can likely improve patient outcomes.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Key words : dermatologic surgery, melanoma, melanoma in situ, number needed to excise, number needed to treat, oncology, pigmented lesions
Abbreviations used : CI, NNT, REM, SK
Plan
Funding sources: Supported by the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under award number UL1TR002553. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health. |
|
Conflicts of interest: None disclosed. |
|
IRB approval status: Reviewed and approved by Duke University IRB (approval #0007909). |
|
Reprints not available from the authors. |
Vol 82 - N° 5
P. 1158-1165 - mai 2020 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?