An assessment of nucleic acid amplification testing for active mycobacterial infection

Stage 1: strength of the evidence

The evidence presented in the selected studies was assessed and classified using the dimensions of evidence defined by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC 2000).

These dimensions (Table ) consider important aspects of the evidence supporting a particular intervention and include three main domains: strength of the evidence, size of the effect and relevance of the evidence. The first domain is derived directly from the literature identified as informing a particular intervention; the last two each require expert clinical input as part of its determination.

Table Evidence dimensions