Sample size and precision of estimates in studies of depression screening tool accuracy: A meta‐research review of studies published in 2018–2021

• Published in: International journal of methods in psychiatric research 2022-06, Vol.31 (2), p.e1910-n/a
• Main Authors: Nassar, Elsa‐Lynn, Levis, Brooke, Neyer, Marieke A., Rice, Danielle B., Booij, Linda, Benedetti, Andrea, Thombs, Brett D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Accuracy; bias; depression; diagnostic test accuracy; Medical screening; Medical tests; Mental depression; Original; Reviews; Sample size; screening
• ISSN: 1049-8931; 1557-0657
• DOI: 10.1002/mpr.1910

Objectives Depression screening tool accuracy studies should be conducted with large enough sample sizes to generate precise accuracy estimates. We assessed the proportion of recently published depression screening tool diagnostic accuracy studies that reported sample size calculations; the proportion that provided confidence intervals (CIs); and precision, based on the width and lower bounds of 95% CIs for sensitivity and specificity. In addition, we assessed whether these results have improved since a previous review of studies published in 2013–2015. Methods MEDLINE was searched from January 1, 2018, through May 21, 2021. Results Twelve of 106 primary studies (11%) described a viable sample size calculation, which represented an improvement of 8% since the last review. Thirty‐six studies (34%) provided reasonably accurate CIs. Of 103 studies where 95% CIs were provided or could be calculated, seven (7%) had sensitivity CI widths of ≤10%, whereas 58 (56%) had widths of ≥21%. Eighty‐four studies (82%) had lower bounds of CIs