Systematic review of outbreaks of COVID-19 within households in the European region when the child is the index case.

OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aims to identify the secondary attack rates (SAR) to adults and other children when children are the index cases within household settings. METHODS: This literature review assessed European-based studies published in Medline and Embase between January 2020 and January 2022 that assessed the secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within household settings. The inclusion criteria were based on the Population, Exposure, Outcome framework for systematic reviews. Thus, the study population was restricted to humans within the household setting in Europe (population), in contact with paediatric index cases 1-17 years old (exposure) that led to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 reported as either an SAR or the probability of onward infection (outcome). RESULTS: Of 1819 studies originally identified, 19 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the SAR ranged from 13% to 75% in 15 studies, while there was no evidence of secondary transmission from children to other household members in one study. Evidence indicated that asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 index cases also have a lower SAR than those with symptoms and that younger children may have a lower SAR than adolescents (>12 years old) within household settings. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 secondary transmission from paediatric index cases ranged from 0% to 75%, within household settings between January 2020 and January 2022, with differences noted by age and by symptomatic/asymptomatic status of the index case. Given the anticipated endemic circulation of SARS-CoV-2, continued monitoring and assessment of household transmission is necessary.

Systematic review of outbreaks of COVID-19 within households in the European region when the child is the index case

Objectives This systematic review aims to identify the secondary attack rates (SAR) to adults and other children when children are the index cases within household settings. Methods This literature review assessed European-based studies published in Medline and Embase between January 2020 and January 2022 that assessed the secondary transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within household settings. The inclusion criteria were based on the Population, Exposure, Outcome framework for systematic reviews. Thus, the study population was restricted to humans within the household setting in Europe (population), in contact with paediatric index cases 1–17 years old (exposure) that led to the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 reported as either an SAR or the probability of onward infection (outcome). Results Of 1819 studies originally identified, 19 met the inclusion criteria. Overall, the SAR ranged from 13% to 75% in 15 studies, while there was no evidence of secondary transmission from children to other household members in one study. Evidence indicated that asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 index cases also have a lower SAR than those with symptoms and that younger children may have a lower SAR than adolescents (>12 years old) within household settings. Conclusions SARS-CoV-2 secondary transmission from paediatric index cases ranged from 0% to 75%, within household settings between January 2020 and January 2022, with differences noted by age and by symptomatic/asymptomatic status of the index case. Given the anticipated endemic circulation of SARS-CoV-2, continued monitoring and assessment of household transmission is necessary.

Prognostic factors for mortality, intensive care unit and hospital admission due to SARS-CoV-2: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies in Europe.

BACKGROUND: As mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is strongly age-dependent, we aimed to identify population subgroups at an elevated risk for adverse outcomes from COVID-19 using age-/gender-adjusted data from European cohort studies with the aim to identify populations that could potentially benefit from booster vaccinations. METHODS: We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to investigate the role of underlying medical conditions as prognostic factors for adverse outcomes due to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), including death, hospitalisation, intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilation within three separate settings (community, hospital and ICU). Cohort studies that reported at least age and gender-adjusted data from Europe were identified through a search of peer-reviewed articles published until 11 June 2021 in Ovid Medline and Embase. Results are presented as odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and absolute risk differences in deaths per 1000 COVID-19 patients. FINDINGS: We included 88 cohort studies with age-/gender-adjusted data from 6 653 207 SARS-CoV-2 patients from Europe. Hospital-based mortality was associated with high and moderate certainty evidence for solid organ tumours, diabetes mellitus, renal disease, arrhythmia, ischemic heart disease, liver disease and obesity, while a higher risk, albeit with low certainty, was noted for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and heart failure. Community-based mortality was associated with a history of heart failure, stroke, diabetes and end-stage renal disease. Evidence of high/moderate certainty revealed a strong association between hospitalisation for COVID-19 and solid organ transplant recipients, sleep apnoea, diabetes, stroke and liver disease. INTERPRETATION: The results confirmed the strong association between specific prognostic factors and mortality and hospital admission. Prioritisation of booster vaccinations and the implementation of nonpharmaceutical protective measures for these populations may contribute to a reduction in COVID-19 mortality, ICU and hospital admissions.

European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD): current impact and future steps.

Efforts to reduce the toll of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality in the European Union are spearheaded by the Tobacco Products Directive (TPD), a legal act implemented during 2016-2021, with the overall aim to reduce tobacco consumption by 2% in Europe. Within this time frame, several core tobacco control measures were implemented, the impact of which is outlined within this manuscript. Key successful legislative actions implemented in this time frame led to greater availability of information and further regulation of additives, the banning of mentholated cigarettes, enhanced pictorial package warnings and a regulatory framework for e-cigarettes. While repeated cross-sectional data indicated a 12.5% relative reduction in smoking prevalence after implementation of the TPD, the differential regulation of cigarettes and roll-your-own tobacco compared with other products, such as cigarillos, e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products, may have also led to product displacement. Moreover, as the TPD could not keep up with the ever-changing nicotine product landscape, further adaptations may be needed.