Table 2

Combination of terms with the best sensitivity (keeping specificity ≥50%), best specificity (keeping sensitivity ≥50%), and best optimization of sensitivity and specificity (based on abs[sensitivity-specificity]<1%) for detecting costs and economics studies in EMBASE in 2000. Values are percentages (95% CIs).

Search term OVID search*
Sensitivity (%) (Cost: n = 183; Economics: n = 31)
Specificity (%) (Cost: n = 27586; Economics: n = 27738)
Precision (%)†
Accuracy (%) (n = 27769)

Best Sensitivity – Costs exp economic aspect OR costs.tw.
100.0
93.0 (92.68 to 93.29)
8.6 (7.44 to 9.83)
93.0 (92.73 to 93.33)
Best Sensitivity – Economics cost effectiveness analysis.sh. OR randomized.tw. OR economic.tw.
100.0
92.3 (91.98 to 92.61)
1.4 (0.93 to 1.93)
92.3 (91.99 to 92.62)
Best Specificity – Costs cost effectiveness.tw. OR cost effective.tw.
54.1 (46.88 to 61.32)
99.5 (99.37 to 99.54)
39.8 (33.68 to 45.84)
99.2 (99.05 to 99.26)
Best Specificity – Economics cost effectiveness.tw. OR sensitivity analys:.tw.
51.6 (34.02 to 69.21)
99.4 (99.31 to 99.49)
8.8 (4.68 to 12.91)
99.4 (99.25 to 99.44)
Best Optimization of Sensitivity & Specificity – Costs cost.mp. OR costs.tw. OR health care cost.sh.
98.4 (96.52 to 100.20)
97.1 (96.87 to 97.27)
18.2 (15.81 to 20.63)
97.1 (96.88 to 97.28)
Best Optimization of Sensitivity & Specificity – Economics cost.tw. OR costs.tw.
96.8 (90.55 to 102.99)
97.6 (97.43 to 97.79)
4.3 (2.82 to 5.85)
97.6 (97.43 to 97.79)

*Search strategies are reported using Ovid's search engine syntax for EMBASE. †Denominator varies by row. exp = exploded subject heading; tw = textword (word or phrase appears in title or abstract); : = truncation; mp = multiple posting – term appears in title, abstract, or subject heading; sh = subject heading.

McKinlay et al. BMC Health Services Research 2006 6:67   doi:10.1186/1472-6963-6-67