I want to perform a meta-analysis of multiple diagnostic test at once. Outcomes are sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value. All the test have the same reference standard.
For example:
Study 1 - Biomarker 1 for detecting hepatic cancer
Study 2 - Biomarker 2 for detecting hepatic cancer
Study 3 - Biomarker 2 for detecting hepatic cancer
Study 4 - Biomarker 2 for detecting hepatic cancer
Study 5 - Biomarker 3 for detecting hepatic cancer
Study 6 - Biomarker 3 for detecting hepatic cancer
Study 7 - Biomarker 4 for detecting hepatic cancer
Study 8 - Biomarker 5 for detecting hepatic cancer
Study 9 - Biomarker 5 for detecting hepatic cancer
Do I need to make a meta-analysis of all studies comparing biomarker 2 (2-4) first, and then finally compare the pooled results with the pooled results of other biomarkers, or is there a way to do it all at once? Is there a tool in R capable of doing this (mada)?
I've read about network meta-analysis, but it seems that it's only applicable to treatments and such.