Diagnostic performance of nuclear matrix protein 22 and urine cytology for bladder cancer: A meta‐analysis

PURPOSE: To compare and analyze the diagnostic efficacy of nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) and urine cytology (UC) in the diagnosis of bladder cancer. METHODS: Search the Chinese and English studies on NMP22 and urinary cytology in the diagnosis of bladder tumors published between 1999 and June, and conduct quality evaluation, data extraction and analysis. RESULTS: A total of 397 related articles were retrieved, and 12 articles were finally included after screening, including 2456 subjects. The heterogeneity test shows that there is no discernible threshold effect. Perform meta‐analysis according to the random effects model. The results showed that the total sensitivity of NMP22 and UC were 0.79 (95% CI [0.73, 0.84]) (CI: Confidence interval), 0.55 (95% CI [0.41, 0.69]), and the total specificity 0.59 (95% CI [0.46], respectively, 0.71), 0.91 (95% CI (0.81, 0.96]), +LR 1.9 (95% CI [1.4, 2.6]) (+LR: positive likelihood ration), 5.9 (95% CI [3.3, 10.6]), −LR 0.35 (−LR: negative likelihood ration), respectively (95% CI [0.27, 0.47]), 0.49 (95% CI [0.38, 0.64]), diagnostic odds ratios 5 (95% CI [3, 9]), 12 (95% CI [7, 21]). The area under the summary receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was 0.79 (95% CI [0.75, 0.82]) and 0.81 (95% CI [0.77, 0.84]), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: NMP22 has moderate diagnostic efficiency for bladder cancer. Its sensitivity is greater than UC, but its specificity is significantly lower than that of UC. At present, it cannot replace traditional cystoscopy and UC, but it can be combined to detect bladder tumors. It plays a major role in screening, postoperative monitoring and follow‐up.