| Study characteristics |
| Methods |
Retrospective cohort study in Melbourne, Australia, as part of the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) between 1992 and 1998. To assess possible association between vaccination and asthma |
| Participants |
N = 309 young adults aged between 22 and 44 years and were surveyed by an interviewer‐administered questionnaire |
| Interventions |
Questions were asked about vaccinations to measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR); triple antigen (DTP); hepatitis B; and Sabin polio vaccine (OPV). |
| Outcomes |
Participants were surveyed by a validated interviewer‐administered questionnaire covering: history of asthma; details of home and occupation environment; smoking history; medications; dietary information; and respiratory symptoms. Atopy was assessed by skin prick testing to common aeroallergen. |
| Funding Source |
Government |
| Notes |
Conclusion: there was no significant association observed for participants diagnosed with asthma who had received measles or MMR vaccinations compared with those who did not receive measles or MMR vaccinations. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| PCS/RCS ‐ exposed cohort selection |
High risk |
Randomly selected form electoral rolls ‐ probable selection bias |
| PCS/RCS ‐ non‐exposed cohort selection |
High risk |
Assessed retrospectively via interview ‐ probable information bias |
| PCS/RCS ‐ comparability |
High risk |
No adjustment for confounding |
| PCS/RCS ‐ assessment of outcome |
High risk |
Assessed retrospectively via interview ‐ probable information bias |
| Summary Risk of Bias assessment |
High risk |
We had concerns regarding multiple domains such that our confidence in the result is substantially lowered. |
