Role of the calcium stimulation test in diagnosing medullary thyroid cancer: is it adequate to achieve a diagnosis in both sexes? An individual patient data meta-analysis
Authors' conclusion
The calcium stimulation test for CT for the diagnosis of MTC showed better performance in males than in females, with a suggested cutoff value of 562 pg/mL in males.
Study context
- Population
- Patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and preoperative calcium stimulation test (calcium gluconate 25 mg/kg) for calcitonin (CT) by chemiluminescence assay, for diagnosis of medullary thyroid cancer (MTC)
- Participants
- 243 patients5 studies
- Comparison
- Calcium stimulation test for CT in females vs males
- Outcome
- Diagnostic accuracy of calcium-stimulated CT for MTC and sex-specific cutoff values
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
Diagnostic accuracy for MTC
| Group | Value | Pooled sensitivity | Specificity | Pooled AUC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Females | global threshold 162 pg/mL | 0.90 (95% CI: 0.79-0.97) | 0.66 (95% CI: 0.56-0.75) | 0.87 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97) |
| Males | global threshold 562 pg/mL | 0.79 (95% CI: 0.60-0.92) | 0.89 (95% CI: 0.79-0.96) | 0.94 (95% CI: 0.90-0.99) |
Value
Femalesglobal threshold 162 pg/mL
Malesglobal threshold 562 pg/mL
Pooled sensitivity
Females0.90 (95% CI: 0.79-0.97)
Males0.79 (95% CI: 0.60-0.92)
Specificity
Females0.66 (95% CI: 0.56-0.75)
Males0.89 (95% CI: 0.79-0.96)
Pooled AUC
Females0.87 (95% CI: 0.76-0.97)
Males0.94 (95% CI: 0.90-0.99)
Parts of this Brief are withheld: the automatic checks could not confirm them against the abstract.
Original publication
Role of the calcium stimulation test in diagnosing medullary thyroid cancer: is it adequate to achieve a diagnosis in both sexes? An individual patient data meta-analysis. Eur Thyroid J. Published 7 May 2025. doi:10.
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