Article
Systematic Review: Environmental Aircraft Noise and Non-Auditory Health Complaints and Diseases
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Published: | March 10, 2014 |
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Outline
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Objective: To identify whether exposition to environmental aircraft noise influences the risk of acquiring non-auditory health complaints or diseases in individuals. If an elevated risk is detected, we aim to determine the dose-response-relationship.
Methods: A systematic review will be performed with a previously published study design. We will also attempt meta-analysis of the data if feasible.
Search strategy: The research question is described by the PEO-criteria; Population: general human population; Exposure: environmental aircraft noise; Outcomes: non-auditory health complaints and diseases. A systematic electronic literature search is conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and BIOSIS from their inception until 10/2013 without language restrictions. Additionally, a hand search in the reference lists of included articles, key articles and narrative reviews and a search using the search engine “google scholar” will be performed.
Study selection: Titles, abstracts and full texts of the studies will be screened independently by two epidemiologists to determine whether the inclusion criteria are met. Disagreements are resolved by discussion with a third person. The reasons for exclusions are documented for each paper.
Endpoint classification and data extraction: Prior to data extraction, we will classify the included studies on the basis of their respective endpoint(s); e.g. hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, sleeping disorder, delayed cognitive development of the child. Data extraction is done independently by two reviewers.
Study quality assessment: The studies will be examined according to a combination of the criteria described by SIGN and CASP. This instrument was successfully tested in a previous review.
Data synthesis: Data will be illustrated and summarized descriptively. Furthermore, if possible, relative risk estimators of all included studies will be pooled using random-effects meta-analysis separately for each outcome. To explore the robustness of the findings, a set of sensitivity analyses will be carried out.
We expect to complete the review by 12/2014. At the congress, we will present the protocol, first results of the literature search and the endpoint classification as well as the modified checklists. The checklists were adapted to the research question by development of additional criteria and preliminary rules which were successfully beta-tested. Currently, final adjustments to the protocol are discussed prior to publication.