The STARD background document aims to facilitate the use, understanding and dissemination of the checklist. The document contains a clarification of the meaning, rationale and optimal use of each item on the checklist, as well as a short summary of the available evidence on bias and applicability. The STARD background document entitled “Bossuyt PM, Reitsma JB, Bruns DE Gatsonis PP, Glasziou PP, Irwig LM, Moher D, Rennie D, De Vet HC, Lijmer JG; Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy. The STARD statement for reporting of diagnostic accuracy: explanation and elaboration” was published in January 2003 simultaneously in Clinical Chemistry and Annals of Internal Medicine. The Croatian Medical Journal published the STARD background document in September 2003.