Sensitivity and specificity of alternative screening methods for systematic reviews using text mining tools

Jimmy Li, Joudy Kabouji, Sarah Bouhadoun, Sarah Tanveer, Kristian B. Filion, Genevieve Gore, Colin Bruce Josephson, Churl Su Kwon, Nathalie Jette, Prisca Rachel Bauer, Gregory S. Day, Ann Subota, Jodie I. Roberts, Sara Lukmanji, Khara Sauro, Adnane Alaoui Ismaili, Feriel Rahmani, Khadidja Chelabi, Yasmine Kerdougli, Nour Meryem SeulamiAminata Soumana, Sarah Khalil, Noémie Maynard, Mark Robert Keezer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of text mining (TM) on the sensitivity and specificity of title and abstract screening strategies for systematic reviews (SRs). Study Design and Setting: Twenty reviewers each evaluated a 500-citation set. We compared five screening methods: conventional double screen (CDS), single screen, double screen with TM, combined double screen and single screen with TM, and single screen with TM. Rayyan, Abstrackr, and SWIFT-Review were used for each TM method. The results of a published SR were used as the reference standard. Results: The mean sensitivity and specificity achieved by CDS were 97.0% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 94.7, 99.3) and 95.0% (95% CI: 93.0, 97.1). When compared with single screen, CDS provided a greater sensitivity without a decrease in specificity. Rayyan, Abstrackr, and SWIFT-Review identified all relevant studies. Specificity was often higher for TM-assisted methods than that for CDS, although with mean differences of only one-to-two percentage points. For every 500 citations not requiring manual screening, 216 minutes (95% CI: 169, 264) could be saved. Conclusion: TM-assisted screening methods resulted in similar sensitivity and modestly improved specificity as compared to CDS. The time saved with TM makes this a promising new tool for SR.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)72-80
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume162
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Abstrackr
  • Artificial intelligence
  • Diagnostic study
  • Knowledge synthesis
  • Machine learning
  • Rayyan
  • SWIFT-Review
  • Sensitivity
  • Specificity

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