Face masks to prevent transmission of respiratory infections: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on face mask use

Face masks to prevent transmission of respiratory infections: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on face mask use

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Objectives To examine the use of face mask intervention in mitigating the risk of spreading respiratory infections and whether the effect of face mask intervention differs in different exposure settings and age groups.Design Systematic review and meta-analysis.We evaluated the risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool (ROB2).Data sources We searched PubMed, cubs foam finger Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science were searched for randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of face masks on respiratory infections published between 1981 and February 9, 2022.

We followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines.Eligibility criteria for selecting studies We included randomized controlled trials investigating the use of face mask intervention in mitigating the risk of spreading respiratory infections across different exposure settings.Results We identified 2,400 articles for screening.18 articles passed the inclusion criteria for both evidence synthesis and meta-analysis.

There were N = 189,145 individuals in the face mask intervention arm and N = 173,536 in the control arm, and the follow-up times ranged from 4 days to 19 months.Our results showed between-study heterogeneity (p Conclusion Our findings support the use of face masks particularly in a community setting and for adults.We also observed substantial between-study heterogeneity and varying adherence to protocol.Notably, iphone 13 price dallas many studies were subject to contamination bias thus affecting the efficacy of the intervention, that is when also some controls used masks or when the intervention group did not comply with mask use leading to a downward biased effect of treatment receipt and efficacy.

Trial registration PROSPERO registration number CRD42020205523.