Diagnostic Accuracy of Computerized Bowel Sound Analysis with Non-Invasive Devices for Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of bowel sound analysis for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) with a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases until September 2023. Cross-sectional and case-control studies on diagnostic accuracy of bowel sound analysis for IBS were identified. We estimated the pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio with a 95% confidence interval (CI), and plotted a summary receiver operating characteristic curve and evaluated the area under the curve.

Results

Four studies were included. The pooled diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, and diagnostic odds ratio were 0.94 (95% CI, 0.87–0.97), 0.89 (95% CI, 0.81–0.94), 8.43 (95% CI, 4.81–14.78), 0.07 (95% CI, 0.03–0.15), and 118.86 (95% CI, 44.18–319.75), respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.97 (95% CI, 0.95–0.98).

Conclusions

Computerized bowel sound analysis is a promising tool for IBS. However, limited high-quality data make the results' validity and applicability questionable. There is a need for more diagnostic test accuracy studies and better wearable devices for monitoring and analysis of IBS.