3.6 | Univariable meta-regression and subgroup
analysis
To identify the source of heterogeneity, we performed meta-regression
analyses. Three study characteristics were used as covariates for
univariable meta-regression analysis, including whether patients with a
history of H. pylori infection were excluded, whether enrollment was
consecutive, and whether a single reference standard for H. pylori
infection was used (Supplementary Figure 5 ). The results showed
that whether patients with a history of H. pylori infection were
excluded significantly affected the sensitivity of RAC for the diagnosis
of H. pylori infection (p<0.01). Likewise, whether enrollment
was consecutive significantly affected the sensitivity of RAC
(p<0.05). Thus, the heterogeneity could partly be explained by
meta-regression analysis.