The diagnostic values of UCH-L1 in traumatic brain injury: A meta-analysis

Shahjouei, Shima; Sadeghi-Naini, Mohsen; Yang, Zhihui; Kobeissy, Firas; Rathore, Disa; Shokraneh, Farhad; Blackburn, Spiros; Manley, Geoff T.; Wang, Kevin K.W.

Abstract

© 2017 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health concern. The purpose of this study is to identify the diagnostic accuracy of ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase-L1 (UCH-L1)—a protein biomarker—in comparison with CT-scan findings post-TBI. Accordingly, we conducted a systematic review of eligible studies and assessed the risk of bias according to the QUADAS-2 checklist. A total of 13 reports from 10 original studies were included. Based on our analysis, serum UCH-L1 has a high accuracy in predicting CT findings in mild to moderate TBI. Based on the QUADAS-2 checklist, this result has a high risk of bias affecting its applicability. The plasma level of UCH-L1 has moderate accuracy in predicting CT findings when assessed in all GCS levels. This result has a low risk of bias and low concerns regarding applicability. Pooled analysis suggests that the plasma/serum UCH-L1 level has high accuracy in predicting CT findings in a wide range of GCS in patients with TBI. This result has a high risk of bias and high concern about its applicability. The heterogeneity in approaching TBI biomarker interferes with drawing a definitive conclusion. Therefore, although UCH-L1 is a promising blood-based diagnostic biomarker for TBI, but due to differences in reported diagnostic accuracy, further studies are needed to recommend UCH-L1 as an alternative to CT scanning.

Citation

Shahjouei, S., Sadeghi-Naini, M., Yang, Z., Kobeissy, F., Rathore, D., Shokraneh, F., Blackburn, S., Manley, G. T., & Wang, K. K. (2018). The diagnostic values of UCH-L1 in traumatic brain injury: A meta-analysis. Brain Injury, 32(1), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2017.1382717

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 24, 2014
• Online Publication Date: Oct 31, 2017
• Publication Date: Jan 2, 2018
• Deposit Date: Dec 17, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 17, 2020
• Journal: Brain Injury
• Print ISSN: 0269-9052
• Electronic ISSN: 1362-301X
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 1
• Pages: 1-17
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2017.1382717
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/3175722
• Publisher URL: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02699052.2017.1382717
• Additional Information: Peer Review Statement: The publishing and review policy for this title is described in its Aims & Scope.; Aim & Scope: http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?show=aimsScope&journalCode=ibij20