Quasi-experimental methods for pharmacoepidemiology: difference-in-differences and synthetic control methods with case studies for vaccine evaluation DOI Creative Commons
Lee Kennedy‐Shaffer

American Journal of Epidemiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 193(7), P. 1050 - 1058

Published: March 7, 2024

Abstract Difference-in-differences and synthetic control methods have become common study designs for evaluating the effects of changes in policies, including health policies. They also potential providing real-world effectiveness safety evidence pharmacoepidemiology. To effectively add to toolkit field, however, designs—including both their benefits drawbacks—must be well understood. Quasi-experimental provide an opportunity estimate average treatment effect on treated without requiring measurement all possible confounding factors, assess population-level effects. This requires, other key assumptions, parallel trends or stable weighting a lack concurrent events that could alter time trends, absence contamination between exposed unexposed units. The targeted estimands are highly specific settings study, combining across units periods can challenging. Case studies presented 3 vaccine evaluation studies, showcasing some these challenges opportunities field These feasible valuable sources various pharmacoepidemiologic improved through research identify weigh advantages disadvantages those settings. article is part Special Collection Pharmacoepidemiology.

Language: Английский

Masks and respirators for prevention of respiratory infections: a state of the science review DOI
Trisha Greenhalgh, C. Raina MacIntyre, Michael G. Baker

et al.

Clinical Microbiology Reviews, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 37(2)

Published: May 22, 2024

SUMMARYThis narrative review and meta-analysis summarizes a broad evidence base on the benefits-and also practicalities, disbenefits, harms personal, sociocultural environmental impacts-of masks masking. Our synthesis of from over 100 published reviews selected primary studies, including re-analyzing contested meta-analyses key clinical trials, produced seven findings. First, there is strong consistent for airborne transmission severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) other pathogens. Second, are, if correctly consistently worn, effective in reducing diseases show dose-response effect. Third, respirators are significantly more than medical or cloth masks. Fourth, mask mandates overall, community Fifth, important symbols; non-adherence to masking sometimes linked political ideological beliefs widely circulated mis- disinformation. Sixth, while much that not generally harmful general population, may be relatively contraindicated individuals with certain conditions, who require exemption. Furthermore, groups (notably D/deaf people) disadvantaged when others masked. Finally, risks environment single-use respirators. We propose an agenda future research, improved characterization situations which should recommended mandated; attention comfort acceptability; generalized disability-focused communication support settings where worn; development testing novel materials designs filtration, breathability, impact.

Language: Английский

Citations

30
School closures during COVID-19: an overview of systematic reviews DOI Open Access
Samuel Hume,

Samuel Robert Brown,

Kamal R Mahtani

et al.

BMJ evidence-based medicine, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 28(3), P. 164 - 174

Published: March 31, 2023

To assess the benefits and drawbacks of school closures in-school mitigations during COVID-19 pandemic.Overview systematic reviews (SRs).We searched six databases additional resources on 29 July 2022: MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholar, Cochrane Library, COVID-END inventory evidence synthesis, Epistemonikos.We selected SRs written in English that answered at least one four specific questions concerning efficacy closures. Their primary studies were conducted secondary schools, including pupils aged 5-18. Interventions included or (such as mask usage) introduced schools.We used AMSTAR 2 to confidence SRs, GRADE was certainty evidence. We performed a narrative synthesis results, prioritising higher-quality those which assessments with more unique studies. also assessed overlap between SRs.Our framework for summarising outcome data guided by following questions: (1) What is impact transmission, morbidity mortality community? (2) mental health (eg, anxiety), physical obesity, domestic violence, sleep) learning/achievement pupils? (3) schools (4) health, pupils?We identified 578 reports, 26 included. One SR high confidence, 0 moderate, 10 low 15 critically confidence. 132 effects transmission/morbidity/mortality, 123 learning, 164 22 16 sleep, 7 violence 69 transmission/morbidity/mortality.Both associated reduced community. School increased anxiety obesity pupils. found no potential The according mostly very low.School had both positive negative impacts. large number However, low, low. assessing children, could be addressed moving forward. This overview provides inform policy makers future waves COVID-19.

Language: Английский

Citations

30
Effect of SARS-CoV-2 prior infection and mRNA vaccination on contagiousness and susceptibility to infection DOI Creative Commons
Denis Mongin, Nils Bürgisser,

Gustavo Laurie

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Sept. 6, 2023

The immunity conferred by SARS-CoV-2 vaccines and infections reduces the transmission of virus. To answer how effect is shared between a reduction infectiousness an increased protection against infection, we examined >50,000 positive cases >110,000 contacts from Geneva, Switzerland (June 2020 to March 2022). We assessed association secondary attack rate (i.e. proportion new among contacts) natural infection and/or vaccination, stratifying per four variants adjusting for index contacts' socio-demographic characteristics propensity be tested. Here show that protected rather than reducing cases. Natural strongest immunity. Hybrid did not surpass recent infection. Although smaller amplitude, in due vaccination was less affected time emergence susceptibility These findings support role vaccine underscore complementary interventions propagation, such as mask use or indoor ventilation.

Language: Английский

Citations

26
Multi-functional nanofiber membranes with asymmetric wettability and pine-needle-like structure for enhanced moisture-wicking DOI
Jiwang Chen,

Yuanyuan Rao,

Jiawei Huang

et al.

Chemical Engineering Journal, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 468, P. 143709 - 143709

Published: May 24, 2023

Language: Английский

Citations

24
“I’ve Never Felt So Confused”: A Mixed-Method Study of Managing Family-to-Work Conflict During the Tripledemic DOI
Michelle Maroto, Andrea DeKeseredy, Amy Kaler

et al.

Journal of Child and Family Studies, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 8, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Effects of public-health measures for zeroing out different SARS-CoV-2 variants DOI Creative Commons
Yong Ge, Xilin Wu, Wenbin Zhang

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: Aug. 29, 2023

Abstract Targeted public health interventions for an emerging epidemic are essential preventing pandemics. During 2020-2022, China invested significant efforts in strict zero-COVID measures to contain outbreaks of varying scales caused by different SARS-CoV-2 variants. Based on a multi-year empirical dataset containing 131 observed from April 2020 May 2022 and simulated scenarios, we ranked the relative intervention effectiveness their reduction instantaneous reproduction number. We found that, overall, social distancing (38% reduction, 95% prediction interval 31-45%), face masks (30%, 17-42%) close contact tracing (28%, 24-31%) were most effective. Contact was crucial during initial phases, while became increasingly prominent as spread persisted. In addition, infections with higher transmissibility shorter latent period posed more challenges these measures. Our findings provide quantitative evidence effects public-health zeroing out contagions contexts.

Language: Английский

Citations

18
Are Target Trial Emulations the Gold Standard for Observational Studies? DOI Open Access
Neil Pearce, Jan P. Vandenbroucke

Epidemiology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 34(5), P. 614 - 618

Published: May 31, 2023

1 Department of Medical Statistics London School Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK 2 Leiden University Center Dept. Clinical Epidemiology PO Box 9600 2300 RC Leiden, The Netherlands 3 Epidemiology, Aarhus University, Denmark. Editor's Note: Related articles can be found on pp. XXX, XXX. Conflicts interest: None declared Acknowledgments: We thank Matt Fox Elizabeth Williamson for comments the draft manuscript, George Davey Smith useful discussions these issues. Correspondence to: Professor Neil Pearce Email: [email protected] Phone: 020-79588151

Language: Английский

Citations

16
Face mask recommendations in schools did not impact COVID-19 incidence among 10–12-year-olds in Finland – joinpoint regression analysis DOI Creative Commons
Aapo Juutinen,

Emmi Sarvikivi,

Päivi Laukkanen‐Nevala

et al.

BMC Public Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 23(1)

Published: April 21, 2023

Abstract Background In autumn 2021 in Finland, a recommendation to use face masks was implemented nationwide schools for pupils ages 12 years and above. While national guidelines were form of recommendations, cities mandatory masking schools. Some extended this mandate younger as well. Our aim compare COVID-19 incidence among 10–12-year-olds between with different recommendations on the Methods case numbers, defined positive laboratory verified SARS-CoV-2 test results, obtained from National Infectious Disease Registry (NIDR) Finnish Institute Health Welfare. Helsinki, Turku Tampere selected comparison since baseline had been similar August September 2021. Helsinki mask at schools, while include those 10 old above, starting beginning semester early August. Age groups 7–9-year-olds, 30–49-year-olds included statistical analysis moving averages 14-day incidences per 100 000 inhabitants used dependent variable. Joinpoint regression estimate average percent changes (APC) daily (ADPC) incidences. Differences ADPC values compared one-month periods. We also calculated cumulative end November by age group. Results August, highest (3.9) lowest (2.0), September, (-0.3) (-3.2) 10–12-year-olds. October, (2.1) (-0.2) November, (4.1) (-0.5) 7–9 years, 10–12 30–49 years. The all Tampere. Conclusions According our analysis, no additional effect gained mandating masks, based comparisons unvaccinated children (10–12 versus years).

Language: Английский

Citations

13
Relative efficacy of masks and respirators as source control for viral aerosol shedding from people infected with SARS-CoV-2: a controlled human exhaled breath aerosol experimental study DOI Creative Commons
Jianyu Lai, Kristen K. Coleman,

S-H Sheldon Tai

et al.

EBioMedicine, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 104, P. 105157 - 105157

Published: May 30, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

5
Policies on children and schools during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Western Europe DOI Creative Commons
Antoni Soriano‐Arandes, Ana Brett, Danilo Buonsenso

et al.

Frontiers in Public Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11

Published: July 25, 2023

During the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), mitigation policies for children have been a topic of considerable uncertainty and debate. Although some co-morbidities which increase their risk disease (COVID-19), complications such as multisystem inflammatory long COVID, most only get mild COVID-19. On other hand, consistent evidence shows that mass measures had enormous adverse impacts on children. A central question can thus be posed: What amount should bear, in response to is disproportionally affecting older people? In this review, we analyze distinct child versus adult epidemiology, policies, trade-offs outcomes Western Europe. The highly heterogenous European applied compared adults did not lead significant measurable differences outcomes. Remarkably, relative epidemiological importance transmission from school-age age groups remains uncertain, with current suggesting schools often follow, rather than lead, community transmission. Important learning points future pandemics are summarized.

Language: Английский

Citations

12