Table 4

Summary Findings and Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy of DRE for Prostate Cancer Screening in Primary Care Settings

Study, YearSensitivitySpecificityPPVNPV
Al-Azab et al,16 20070.500.610.490.62
Brett,17 19980.67N/AN/AN/A
Crawford et al,18 19990.650.370.290.72
Elliott et al,19 20080.650.650.520.64
Faria et al,20 20120.240.720.360.59
Kirby et al,21 19940.73N/AN/AN/A
Pederson et al,22 1990N/AN/A0.26N/A
Pooled analysisa
 Estimate (95% CI)0.51 (0.36–0.67)0.59 (0.41–0.76)0.41 (0.31–0.52)0.64 (0.58–0.70)
Heterogeneity: I2, %98.499.497.295.0
  • DRE = digital rectal examination; NPV = negative predictive value; N/A = not available; PPV = positive predictive value.

  • a Pooled analysis of data from 6 studies of 3,304 patients total for sensitivity; 4 studies of 5,877 patients total for specificity; 6 studies of 4,581 patients total for positive predictive value; and 4 studies of 4,634 patients total for negative predictive value.