Diagnostic Value of Oscillation Technique for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Many studies have investigated the usefulness of oscillation technique, including forced oscillation technique (FOT) and impulse oscillation technique (IOS), for the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, the overall diagnostic accuracy of oscillation technique for COPD remains unclear. The aim of the present meta-analysis was to determine the overall accuracy of oscillation techniques for diagnosis of COPD. We performed a systematic search in PubMed and Embase. Data on sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative likelihood ratio (PLR/NLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) were pooled. Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC) were used to summarize overall test performance. Six studies met our inclusion criteria. Summary estimates for oscillation technique in the diagnosis of COPD are as follows: sensitivity - 0.77 (95%CI 0.70-0.83; I² = 87.6%); specificity - 0.85 (95%CI 0.81-0.88; I² = 58.4%); PLR - 5.99 (95%CI 2.91-12.34); NLR - 0.16 (95%CI 0.005-0.47); DOR - 47.95 (95%CI 9.99-230.17) and AUC - 0.96. Pooled estimates for FOT were as follows: sensitivity 0.94 (95% CI 0.86-0.98), specificity 0.94 (95% CI 0.86-0.98), PLR 11.48 (95% CI 5.17- 25.48), NLR 0.08 (95% CI 0.03-0.17), DOR 221.8 (95% CI 58.39-842.5), and AUC 0.98. Given its easy to perform and subject-independent nature, our meta-analysis suggests a potential role for oscillation technique in diagnosis of COPD, especially FOT.