Response to Letter by Sanders et al

Response: We thank Sanders and colleagues for their interest in the recent systematic review and pooled analysis of validations of the ABCD and ABCD2 scores.1 Various points were raised about the interpretation and application of the area under the curve (AUC) statistic, the search methods, and the comparison of the ABCD and ABCD2 scores, which we will attempt to address in order. The ABCD system is designed for use as a triage tool between primary or emergency care and specialist care settings and is therefore based on clinical information that is available at the early stage of the patient pathway. We would argue that an AUC of 0.72 does indicate “good predictive value” given that it is based on elements obtained …