Living Systematic Review

Interventions to prevent allergies in children and promote health literacy in the context of allergy prevention and COVID-19: Living systematic reviews

Non-reproducible and contradictory health research results can lead to uncertainty among healthcare professionals and the public. The methodology of evidence synthesis by means of systematic reviews (SRs) counteracts this problem. SRs (and guidelines) quickly lose their relevance in fields of dynamic research activity such as early childhood allergy prevention (ECAP) and interventions to improve health literacy (HL). Living systematic reviews (LSRs) can close the gap between the current state of knowledge and practical implementation by continuously updating SRs on intervention studies. However, established methods of evidence synthesis offer only limited possibilities for analysis. Meta-analysis of individual participant data has emerged as the gold standard for addressing questions beyond average causal effects, such as heterogeneity or publication bias. However, the translation of findings into practice remains a major challenge, which is often hampered by access barriers and comprehension problems among GPs and parents. Therefore, an evidence ecosystem is needed that continuously integrates results and provides a sustainable and user-friendly database. The WP Living Systematic Review applies the paradigm of evidence synthesis to ECAP  and HL.

Study objectives

Specific objectives are:

  1.  To update SRs (following on from the first funding phase) and expand the evidence ecosystem with the support of the Epistemonikos Foundation;
  2. Conducting meta-analyses of individual participant data for oral interventions such as the introduction of  complementary feeding and hydrolysed infant formula;
  3. Continuing the LSR on interventions aimed at improving COVID-19-related HL;
  4. Establishing a LSR on HL related to ECAP, and
  5. Creating plain language summaries (PLS) of the results using a participatory research approach.

A particular focus will be placed on identifying publication bias, especially in fields with strong industry influence. In year 1, data exchange agreements will be made for the meta-analyses; in years 2 and 3, the analyses will take place. In parallel, PLS on all LSR topics will be developed and made available on an interactive website. The WP Living Systematic Reviews will create a living evidence ecosystem for ECAP, ECAP-HL and COVID-19-HL. It is linked to WP Health Professionals and WP User Needs.