Open AccessPrevalence and factors for food allergy in different populations from different regions: A protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Author(s) -
Hao Feng,
Xiujuan Xiong,
Zhuo Chen,
Qunying Xu,
Zhongwei Zhang,
Jiangao Feng,
Yongning Wu
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0261092
Subject(s) - funnel plot , meta analysis , publication bias , confidence interval , cochrane library , odds ratio , study heterogeneity , subgroup analysis , sample size determination , demography , random effects model , forest plot , statistics , protocol (science) , medicine , biology , mathematics , pathology , sociology , alternative medicine
Background To determine the prevalence of food allergy (FA) and factors associated with these occurrences in different populations from different regions. Materials and methods The literature search will be conducted via Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Vip and Wanfang databases. Ratio rate (RR), odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be adopted to evaluate prevalence and factors for FA in different populations from different regions. When the heterogeneity is small (I 2 <50%), the fixed effect model will be analyzed, otherwise, random effects model analysis will be performed. When the heterogeneity is large (I 2 ≥50%), Meta regression will be used to explore the sources of inter-study heterogeneity. When the heterogeneity is large (I 2 ≥50%) and the results are statistically significant ( P <0.05), subgroup analysis will be analyzed based on age, gender, race/region, literature quality and other factors. Funnel plots will be used to reflect reporting bias and the Begg’s test will be used to test the symmetry of the funnel plots. When publication bias occurs, “cut-and-fill” method will be adopted to adjust publication bias. And sensitivity analysis will be performed for all outcome indicators. Discussion This meta-analysis will evaluate the prevalence of FA and factors associated with these occurrences in different populations from different regions on the basis of existing evidences. Our study may be crucial to analyze similarities and differences regarding FA between different individuals from diverse regions and eventually define preventive or diagnostic approaches specifically tailored to certain populations and regions. Systematic review registration OSF registration number: 10.17605/OSF.IO/VQXU9