Diagnostic accuracy of cancer antigen 125 for endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: The development of a non-invasive and accurate diagnostic biomarker for endometriosis is urgently needed.

Objective: Evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of serum cancer antigen 125 (CA 125) for endometriosis.

Search strategy: We searched EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Web of Science from inception to January 2016.

Selection criteria: Diagnostic accuracy studies of serum CA 125 (index test) for histologically confirmed endometriosis (reference standard) were included.

Data collection and analysis: Two authors independently selected trials, extracted study characteristics and data. Methodological quality was assessed using Quality Assessment of Comparative Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) checklist.

Main results: Twenty-two studies (16 cohort, six case-control), 3626 participants, were identified. Bivariate hierarchical models were used to pool accuracy data of 14 studies (2920 participants) using CA 125 ≥ 30 units/ml. Pooled specificity was 93% (95% CI 89-95%) and sensitivity 52% (95% CI 38-66%). CA 125 was significantly more sensitive for the diagnosis of moderate or severe endometriosis compared with minimal disease (63%, 95% CI 47-77% versus 24%, 95%CI 19-32%, P-value = 0.001).

Conclusions: CA 125 performs well as a rule-in test facilitating expedited diagnosis and ensuring investigation and treatment can be confidently tailored for the management of endometriosis. Unfortunately, a negative test, CA 125 < 30 units/ml, is unable to rule out endometriosis.

Tweetable abstract: Blood test CA 125: a rule-in test for the diagnosis of women presenting with symptoms of endometriosis.

Keywords: Biomarkers; cancer antigen 125; endometriosis; non-invasive diagnosis.