Blood miRNAs as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

Purpose

Investigate the efficacy of blood microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic biomarkers for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Patients and Methods

We conducted a comprehensive search in English and Chinese databases, selecting studies based on predetermined criteria. Diagnostic parameters like summarized sensitivity (SSEN), summarized specificity (SSPE), summarized positive likelihood ratio (SPLR), summarized negative likelihood ratio (SNLR), and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) of the summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curves were analyzed using a bivariate model. Each parameter was accompanied by a 95% confidence interval (CI).

Results

Eighteen high-quality studies were included. For diagnosing COPD with blood miRNAs, the SSEN was 0.83 (95% CI 0.76–0.89), SSPE 0.76 (95% CI 0.70–0.82), SPLR 3.50 (95% CI 2.66–4.60), SNLR 0.22 (95% CI 0.15–0.33), DOR 15.72 (95% CI 8.58–28.77), and AUC 0.86 (95% CI 0.82–0.88). In acute exacerbations, SSEN was 0.85 (95% CI 0.76–0.91), SSPE 0.80 (95% CI 0.73–0.86), SPLR 4.26 (95% CI 3.05–5.95), SNLR 0.19 (95% CI 0.12–0.30), DOR 22.29 (95% CI 11.47–43.33), and AUC 0.89 (95% CI 0.86–0.91).

Conclusion

Blood miRNAs demonstrate significant accuracy in diagnosing COPD, both in general and during acute exacerbations, suggesting their potential as reliable biomarkers.

Keywords:

• miRNAs
• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• biomarker
• meta-analysis
• diagnosis

Data Sharing Statement

The data analyzed in this meta-analysis were exclusively derived from previously published literature.

Disclosure

The authors declare that they have no competing interests in this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Sichuan International Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation/Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan Science and Technology Innovation cooperation project (24GJHZ0002) and Medical Science and Technology Project of Sichuan Provincial Health Commission (21PJ153).