Background The computed tomography (CT) diagnostic value of COVID-19 is controversial. We summarized the value of chest CT in the diagnosis of COVID-19 through a meta-analysis based on the reference standard. Methods All Chinese and English studies related to the diagnostic value of CT for COVID-19 across multiple publication platforms, was searched for and collected. Studies quality evaluation and plotting the risk of bias were estimated. A heterogeneity test and meta-analysis, including plotting sensitivity (Sen), specificity (Spe) forest plots, pooled positive likelihood ratio (+LR), negative likelihood ratio (-LR), dignostic odds ratio (DOR) values and 95% confidence interval ( CI ), were estimated. If there was a threshold effect, summary receiver operating characteristic curves (SROC) was further plotted. Pooled area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and 95% CI were also calculated. Results Twenty diagnostic studies that represented a total of 9004 patients were included from 20 pieces of literatures after assessing all the aggregated studies. The reason for heterogeneity was caused by the threshold effect, so the AUROC = 0.91 (95% CI : 0.89–0.94) for chest CT of COVID-19. Pooled sensitivity, specificity, +LR, -LR from 20 studies were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.88–0.94), 0.71 (95% CI : 0.59–0.80), 3.1(95% CI: 2.2–4.4), 0.12 (95% CI: 0.09–0.17), separately. The I 2 was 85.6% ( P = 0.001) by Q-test. Conclusions The results of this study showed that CT diagnosis of COVID-19 was close to the reference standard. The diagnostic value of chest CT may be further enhanced if there is a unified COVID-19 diagnostic standard. However, please pay attention to rational use of CT. Graphic Abstract
【저자키워드】 COVID-19, tomography, X-ray computed, reference standard, 【초록키워드】 Meta-analysis, diagnostic, heterogeneity, Computed tomography, sensitivity, specificity, Chest CT, Patient, threshold, characteristic, reference standard, Odds ratio, reason for, receiver operating characteristic, 95% CI, 95% confidence interval, diagnostic value, receiver operating characteristic curve, Chinese, reason, AUROC, likelihood ratio, forest plots, positive, English, Result, collected, caused, calculated, searched, diagnosis of COVID-19, risk of bia, 【제목키워드】 Chest computed tomography,