Background and study aims: The aim of this study was to develop a scale for assessing the quality of published studies on capsule endoscopy, and to apply it to research papers retrieved by a systematic review.
Methods: The scale was based on the evidence-based quality assessment tools used in diagnostic accuracy studies, and was adapted by the inclusion of additional aspects considered to be relevant for the assessment of capsule endoscopy. The scale that was developed used a score range of 0 - 100 and was divided into two sections: validity, with six criteria and a weight of 80 %; and applicability, with two criteria and a weight of 20 %. Two investigators applied the scale independently to the studies retrieved in a systematic review.
Results: Twenty studies were included. These studies registered scores ranging from 13 % to 78 % (median score 60 %). In the applicability subsection, only 5/20 studies included were awarded the maximum score. The concordance between the assessors was 0.98.
Conclusions: The scale showed itself to be a valid and reproducible tool that could be used to assess the quality of capsule endoscopy studies. Our study revealed that the methodology of the studies published on this endoscopic technique showed room for improvement, however.
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A. Ruano-Ravina, PhD
Galician Agency for Health Technology Assessment
Galician Health Service · Consellería de Sanidade Edif Administrativo de San Lázaro · San Lázaro s/n · 15781 Santiago de Compostela · Spain
Fax: +34-981-542854
Email: alberto.ruano.ravina@sergas.es
