Comparing accuracy of urinary biomarkers in differentiation of ureteropelvic junction obstruction from nonobstructive dilatation in children

Multiple urinary biomarkers have been reported in differentiation of nonobstructive dilatation (NOD) from ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO). In this meta-analysis, we compared the accuracy of common urinary biomarkers applicable to UPJO. A systematic literature review of electronic databases was conducted for: (UPJO) OR (NOD) AND (urinary biomarkers) AND (children) for articles published in the last decade. PRISMA guidelines were used to exclude duplicate and erroneous articles. Meta-analysis involved risk of bias analysis, heterogeneity assessment, and comparison of sensitivity/specificity by forest plot analysis using MetaXL 5.3. Among the 264 articles analyzed, 19 articles met the inclusion criteria and reported the following: neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP1), carbohydrate antigen 19–9 (CA 19–9), kidney injury molecule (KIM1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and interferon gamma induced protein-10 (IP10). There was substantial heterogeneity among articles. There was wide variation in applied cut-offs among studies. Overall sensitivity was highest at 87% for CA 19–9 while overall specificity was highest at 76% for NGAL. Overall accuracy was highest at 78% for CA 19–9 followed by 77% for NGAL and 75% for KIM1. In this meta-analysis, the overall accuracy was highest for CA 19–9 followed by NGAL and KIM1. The small number of studies for CA 19–9 and considerable heterogeneity for all should be considered while interpreting these findings. Based on the current meta-analysis, we support a panel of biomarkers combining NGAL, KIM, and CA 19–9 for the best diagnostic accuracy of UPJO in children.