Table 3.
Pooled sensitivity and specificity rates of subgroups for either molecular, antigen-based, and both types of point-of-care tests
| Subgroup | Number of evaluations | Sensitivity (95% CI) | Specificity (95% CI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular point-of-care tests | |||
| Close contacts | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Suspected cases | 17 | 90.9% (85.5–94.4%) | 98.8% (97.9–99.3%) |
| Confirmed cases | 7 | 91.8% (75.7–97.6%) | 96.1% (92.9–97.9%). |
| Mixed close contacts and suspected cases | 3 | 98.1% (91.9–99.6%) | 95.5% (90.2–98%) |
| Test performed ≤7 d from symptom onset | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Test performed >7 d from symptom onset | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| Cross-sectional studies | 23 | 92.9% (88.7–95.6%) | 98.2% (97.0–98.9%) |
| Case-control studies | 10 | 91.8% (81.2–96.7%) | 95% (89.7–97.7%) |
| IFU | 23 | 94.3% (90.4–96.7%) | 97.6% (96.3–98.4%) |
| Non-IFU | 9 | 87.8% (75.0–94.5%) | 97.5% (95.7–98.6%) |
| Sample size ≤100 | 7 | 91.0% (76.5–96.9%) | 97.4% (93.2–99%) |
| Sample size >100 | 26 | 93.2% (89.1–95.9%) | 97.6% (96.4–98.4%) |
| Self-sampling | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| NP sample | 21 | 91.6% (85.8–95.2%) | 97.7% (96.3–98.6%) |
| NS sample | 3 | 83.4% (68.8–91.9%) | 99.4% (95.6–99.9%) |
| Antigen-based point-of-care tests | |||
| Close contacts | 7 | 65.3% (45.8–80.7%) | 99.6% (99.2–99.7%) |
| Suspected cases | 45 | 74.8% (68.7–80.1%) | 98.6% (97.6–99.2%) |
| Confirmed cases | 3 | 64.2% (51.3–75.4%) | 87.1% (42.2–98.4%) |
| Mixed confirmed and suspected cases | 25 | 76.2% (70.3–81.3%) | 99.2% (98.6–99.5%) |
| Screening of general populationa | 14 | 49.3% (39.7–59.1%) | 98.7% (97–99.5%) |
| Test performed ≤7 d from symptom onset | 9 | 83.1% (77.3–88.7%) | 98.2% (90.1–99.7%) |
| Test performed >7 d from symptom onset | 11 | 46.2% (36–56.6%) | 97.0% (93.4–98.6%) |
| Cross-sectional studies | 116 | 72.0% (68.5–75.3%) | 99.2% (98.9–99.3%) |
| Case-control studies | 22 | 62.9% (52.3–72.4%) | 95.0% (89.7–97.7%) |
| IFU | 72 | 73.1% (68.7–77.1%) | 99.2% (98.8–99.4%) |
| Non-IFU | 59 | 67.7% (61.9–73%) | 98.4% (97.5–99%) |
| Sample size ≤100 | 14 | 64.9% (48.6–78.4%) | 89.2% (76.4–95.5%) |
| Sample size >100 | 124 | 71.2% (67.8–74.4%) | 99.1% (98.8–99.3%) |
| Self-sampling | 9 | 71.2% (57.9–81.6%) | 98.9% (98.5–99.2%) |
| Non–self-sampling | 129 | 71.2% (57.9–81.6%) | 99.3% (98.3–99.7%) |
| NP samples | 84 | 71.5% (66.9–75.8%) | 98.9% (98.4–99.2%) |
| NP and OP samples | 24 | 71.5% (64.1–77.9%) | 99.2% (98.5–99.5%) |
| NS samples | 39 | 74.5% (68.9–79.3%) | 98.4% (97.1–99.1%) |
| NS and throat samples | 6 | 76.8% (67.4–84.2%) | 98.5% (96.9–99.3%) |
| Ct < 35 | 16 | 82% (73–89%) | n/a |
| Ct < 30 | 47 | 88% (86–90%) | n/a |
| Ct < 25 | 45 | 95% (93–96%) | n/a |
| Ct < 20 | 18 | 98% (95–99%) | n/a |
| Both antigen and molecular point-of-care tests | |||
| Community testing sites | 26 | 71% (63–78%) | 99% (98–99%) |
| Primary care/outpatient setting | 20 | 77% (65–86%) | 98% (97–99%) |
| Emergency room | 15 | 72% (63–80%) | 99% (98–100%) |
| Hospital, not otherwise specified | 62 | 78% (72–83%) | 99% (98–99%) |
| Other or multiple sites | 29 | 75% (66–83%) | 98% (97–99%) |
| Non-specified sites | 20 | 77% (70–83%) | 99% (98–99%) |
Ct, cycle threshold; IFU, instructions for use; n/a, data not available for meta-analysis; NP, nasopharyngeal; NS, nasal; OP, oropharyngeal.
a
Includes screening of asymptomatic individuals both in the community and in healthcare facilities (e.g. emergency departments and delivery rooms).