Potential of the test-negative design for measuring influenza vaccine effectiveness: a systematic review.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The test-negative design is a variant of the case-control study being increasingly used to study influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE). In these studies, patients with influenza-like illness are tested for influenza. Vaccine coverage is compared between those testing positive versus those testing negative to estimate VE.

Objectives

We reviewed features in the design, analysis and reporting of 85 published test-negative studies.

Data sources

Studies were identified from PubMed, reference lists and email updates. Study eligibility: All studies using the test-negative design reporting end-of-season estimates were included.

Study appraisal

Design features that may affect the validity and comparability of reported estimates were reviewed, including setting

SUBMITTER: Sullivan SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4277796 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature