Table 3 Meta-regression analysis for the main potential interference factors with random-effects model

Sample type

-1.03 (-2.4, 0.34)

0.14

0.90

Age

-0.3 (-0.44, -0.16)

2.0 × 10 ^-5

0.18

Proportion of stage I

-0.01 (-0.05, 0.03)

0.608

0.79

Ratio of male to female

-0.69 (-8.1, 6.71)

0.855

0.98

Detection methods

-0.09 (-1.28, 1.1)

0.88

1.11

Study aim

-0.82 (-2.05, 0.41)

0.19

1.07

Single/Multiple targets

1.05 (-0.71, 2.81)

0.243

1.01

Hetero/Autogenous control

-1.25 (-2.35, -0.15)

0.026

0.89

Ad2Sc

0.44 (-0.56 , 1.44 )

0.387

0.89

Primer set

-1.02 (-1.02, -2.02)

0.05

0.35