Methodological quality assessment tools for diagnosis and prognosis research: overview and guidance

Abstract

Methodological quality assessment (QA) tools provide a set of criteria to evaluate how well a medical study was done and how trustworthy its results are. To accurately assess a study's quality, it is important to use a QA tool that matches the type of medical study. However, with many QA tools available for different study types, choosing the right one can be challenging, especially for diagnosis and prognosis studies (ie, studies that evaluate tests, factors, markers, and models used for diagnosis and prognosis). To assist in selecting the best QA tools for diagnostic and prognostic studies, we created an overview of available tools and practical tips for choosing the most appropriate one. After searching online databases and consulting experts in the field, we identified 14 QA tools specific to diagnostic and prognostic studies. Additionally, we developed five key questions to guide users in choosing the best tool for their study. While the 14 QA tools differ in their focus and content, our guidance simplifies the process of choosing the right tool and helps users refine their research question.

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