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Table 1 Single term with the best sensitivity (keeping specificity ≥50%), best specificity (keeping sensitivity ≥50%), and best optimization of sensitivity and specificity (based on the lowest possible absolute difference between sensitivity and specificity) for detecting mental health content in MEDLINE in 2000

From: Optimal search strategies for identifying mental health content in MEDLINE: an analytic survey

Search term OVID search*

Sensitivity (%) (95% CI)

n = 3,277

Specificity (%) (95% CI)

n = 8,956

Precision (%) (95% CI)

n = 2,990

Accuracy (%) (95% CI)

n = 12,233

Best sensitivity, best specificity and best optimization of sensitivity & specificity

    

exp mental disorders

74.7 (73.3 to 76.2)

94.0 (93.5 to 94.5)

81.1 (80.5 to 83.3)

88.8 (88.3 to 89.4)

  1. *Search strategies are reported using Ovid's search engine syntax for MEDLINE.
  2. exp = explode, a search term that automatically includes closely related indexing terms.
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Annals of General Psychiatry

ISSN: 1744-859X