Gynaecologists blaze the trail in primary studies and systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy

As the Cochrane Collaboration is poised to begin publishing systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy studies in addition to its traditional systematic reviews of treatment effectiveness, we are likely to see a major expansion in the number of primary studies and systematic reviews of diagnostic test accuracy in the medical literature. Obstetricians and gynaecologists have played an important role in initiating this newer area of research. However, the methodology for such studies is challenging and the published literature is riddled with pitfalls. This editorial seeks to simplify the concepts involved in diagnostic test accuracy studies and systematic reviews, to reflect on the early development of this research in our specialty and to envision the future pathway for screening and diagnostic research.