Association between inflammation factors and Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children: Protocol for a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Several clinical studies have reported that inflammation factors (IF) are associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae in children. However, no study systematically investigated the association between IF and M pneumoniae in pediatric population. Thus, this study will explore the association between IF and pediatric M pneumoniae systematically.
METHODS: This study will search following databases of PUBMED, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from inception to the February 28, 2019 without any language limitations. We will cover clinical studies of M pneumoniae that report associations between IF and M pneumoniae. In addition, reference lists of relevant studies will also be identified to avoid missing any eligible studies. Two investigators will independently screen and select studies, and will assess the methodological quality for each study, which is evaluated by using Newcastle Ottawa Scale. Any disagreements will be settled down through discussion with a third investigator until consensus is reached.
RESULTS: This study will explore the associations between IF and M pneumoniae by assessing the changes of IF, such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17 at different stages of M pneumoniae.
CONCLUSION: The findings of this study may provide most recent evidence for the associations between IF and M pneumoniae in pediatric populations. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not needed in this study, because no individual patient data will be utilized in this study. The findings of this study are expected to be published at peer-reviewed journal or will be presented at professional conference. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO CRD42019125359.

Introduction

Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen that is responsible for the community-acquired pneumonia (CAP), especially in children.[ Furthermore, it also triggers the exacerbation of asthmatic symptoms and wheezes in children.[ It has been reported that M pneumoniae accounts for 7% to 40% of all CAP in children 3 to 15 years of age.[ Fortunately, it has a lower incidence in children under 3 years old.[ Other respiratory conditions are also reported to have association with M pneumoniae. These conditions often include tracheobronchitis, bronchopneumonia, pharyngitis, sinusitis, croup, and bronchiolitis.[

Although the clinical significance of M pneumoniae infection is becoming evident, its pathophysiological mechanisms of serum inflammation factors (IF) in children still have not been fully understood. Several cytokines are reported to have associated with M pneumoniae.[ These cytokines consist of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17.[ However, up to the present, no systematic review has been addressed to explore the associations between IF and M pneumoniae in pediatric population. Therefore, this study will firstly explore the associations between IF and M pneumoniae in pediatric patients.

Methods

Study registration

This study has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42019125359) and has reported according to the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocol (PRISMA-P) statement.[

Eligibility criteria for study selection

Types of studies

All randomized controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies or case-control studies will all be considered for inclusion in this study. However, non-clinical studies, case reports, case series will not be considered.

Types of participants

All pediatric patients with age 18 years old, and are clinically diagnosed with M pneumoniae, and have checked by IF, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17. Participants will be excluded if they are accompanied with other chronic respiratory diseases or disorders, such as cystic fibrosis, bronchiectasis, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, or immunodeficiency.

Types of exposures

Exposure includes IF following M pneumoniae will be considered as experimental exposures. Comparators are a group of participants without M pneumoniae.

Types of outcomes

The outcome measurements include any IF, such as IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13, and IL-17.

Literature sources and search methods

Search strategy

We will comprehensively search the literature sources of PUBMED, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Chinese Biomedical Literature Database from inception to February 28, 2019 without any language restrictions. Additionally, reference lists of relevant studies will also be searched to avoid missing any potential studies. The detailed search strategy for Cochrane Library is presented in Table 1. Similar detailed search strategies will also apply to any other electronic databases.

Table 1

Search strategy applied in Cochrane Library database.

Study selection

Two investigators will independently select the studies on the basis of the predefined eligibility criteria. The study selection will consist of 2 stages. First, all titles and abstracts will be scanned by 2 investigators. Second, both investigators will obtain full-text literature to further check those meet the inclusion criteria. The whole process of study selection is abided to the guidelines of PRISMA-P, and reasons for exclusions and inclusions of all articles will be shown in PRISMA flowchart. Any discrepancies will be resolved by consulting a third investigator through discussion.

Data extraction

All required data will be double extracted by 2 independent investigators using a pre-designed standardized data extraction form. Any disagreements regarding the data extraction will be solved by a third investigator through discussion. Data in detail will be extracted from each study as follows: title, first author name, year of publication, journal, country, study design, patient selection, age, sample size, types of exposures, outcome variables, and any other important information.

Dealing with essential missing information

Missing information or data will be inquired by contacting primary authors. If we can not get those data, we will just analyze the available data and will discuss its impacts as a limitation.

Methodological quality assessment

Methodological quality of each study will be evaluated by using Newcastle–Ottawa Scale checklist.[ This tool ranges from 0 (lowest quality) to 9 (best quality). Two independent investigators will assess the methodological quality for each study. Any disagreements regarding the methodological quality between 2 investigators will be resolved by consulting a third investigator. Summary risk of bias table will be built.

Statistical analysis

STATA 12.0 software will be used for statistical analysis in this study. If there are sufficient eligible studies, the data will be pooled, and meta-analysis will be conducted. Mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) will be used to summarize the continuous data. Risk ratio and 95% CIs will be utilized to express the dichotomous data. Heterogeneity across the included studies will be assessed by using I2 test. The acceptable heterogeneity will be considered if I2 ≤50%, then data will be pooled by using a fixed-effect model, and meta-analysis will be carried out. The substantial heterogeneity will be regarded if I2 >50%, and data will be pooled by using a random-effect model. Meanwhile, subgroup analysis will be performed. If substantial heterogeneity is still identified after subgroup analysis, data will not be pooled, and meta-analysis will not be conducted. However, we will still report the results as native summary.

Additional analysis

Subgroup analysis

Subgroup analysis will be performed based on different characteristics, outcome values, and study quality.

Sensitivity analysis

Sensitivity analysis will be operated to check the robustness and stability of pooled outcome results data by removing low-quality studies.

Reporting bias

Funnel plots and Egger regression test will be utilized to check the reporting bias if sufficient studies are included.[

Discussion

Several previous clinical studies have reported that IF has associations with M pneumoniae in children.[ However, no systematic review and meta-analysis have explored the associations between IF and M pneumoniae in pediatric patients. Thus, in this study, we will systematically investigated the associations between IF and M pneumoniae in children by searching comprehensive literature databases. The results of the present study will summarize the latest evidence on the associations between IF and M pneumoniae in pediatric patients. The findings may also provide helpful evidence for both patients and clinicians.

Author contributions

Conceptualization: Jin-e He, Chun-Yan Gao.

Data curation: Jin-e He, Hui Qu, Chun-Yan Gao.

Formal analysis: Jin-e He, Hui Qu.

Funding acquisition: Jin-e He.

Investigation: Chun-Yan Gao.

Methodology: Jin-e He.

Project administration: Chun-Yan Gao.

Resources: Jin-e He, Hui Qu.

Software: Jin-e He, Hui Qu.

Supervision: Chun-Yan Gao.

Validation: Hui Qu, Chun-Yan Gao.

Visualization: Jin-e He, Hui Qu, Chun-Yan Gao.

Writing – Original Draft: Jin-e He, Hui Qu, Chun-Yan Gao.

Writing – Review & Editing: Jin-e He, Hui Qu, Chun-Yan Gao.