| Study characteristics |
| Methods |
Retrospective cohort comparing incidence of joint and limb symptoms in MMR‐vaccinated children versus non‐vaccinated |
| Participants |
5017 children between 1 and 5 years |
| Interventions |
MMR vaccine (strains and doses not specified, 1588 participants included in analysis) versus no treatment (1242 participants included in analysis) |
| Outcomes |
‐ Joint complaints, all episodes (arthralgia, possible/probable arthritis)
‐ Joint complaints first‐ever episodes (arthralgia, arthritis possible or probable, joint total first‐ever, limb/joint complaint episodes, hospital admission, GP consultation, sore eyes, convulsion, coryza, parotitis, temperature, rash)
Within 6 weeks after immunisation
Data based on a 6‐week parental recall questionnaire and clinician home visit. |
| Funding Source |
Government |
| Notes |
Low response rate in non‐immunised group |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| PCS/RCS ‐ exposed cohort selection |
High risk |
Not clearly stated how cohort was selected ‐ high probable selection bias |
| PCS/RCS ‐ non‐exposed cohort selection |
High risk |
Not clearly stated how cohort was selected ‐ high probable selection bias |
| PCS/RCS ‐ comparability |
High risk |
No adjustment for confounding ‐ high probable selection bias |
| PCS/RCS ‐ assessment of outcome |
Low risk |
Adequate |
| Summary Risk of Bias assessment |
High risk |
We had concerns regarding multiple domains such that our confidence in the result is substantially lowered. |
