Evidence map›Paper›PMID 29973154›Full record

Observational studyBMC infectious diseases2018

Social networks in relation to self-reported symptomatic infections in individuals aged 40-75 - the Maastricht study.

Stephanie Brinkhues, Miranda T Schram, Christian J P A Hoebe, Mirjam E E Kretzschmar, Annemarie Koster, Pieter C Dagnelie, Simone J S Sep, Sander M J van Kuijk, Paul H M Savelkoul, Nicole H T M Dukers-Muijrers

Open access · goldAbstract readObservational Study
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Observational study in BMC infectious diseases, 2018. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
0.7field-weighted citation impact, top 33% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 4 institutions in 3 countries.

Stephanie BrinkhuesDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+); CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Miranda T SchramDepartment of Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+); CARIM, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Christian J P A HoebeDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+); CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Mirjam E E KretzschmarCentre for Infectious Disease Control, National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM), Bilthoven, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Annemarie KosterDepartment of Social Medicine; CAPHRI, School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Pieter C DagnelieDepartment of Epidemiology, CARIM, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht; CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Simone J S SepDepartment of Medicine, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+); CARIM, Cardiovascular Research Institute Maastricht, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Sander M J van KuijkDepartment of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Technology Assessment (KEMTA), Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+), P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Paul H M SavelkoulDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+); CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Nicole H T M Dukers-MuijrersDepartment of Medical Microbiology, Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC+); CAPHRI, Care and Public Health Research Institute, Maastricht University, P.O. Box 616, 6200, MD, Maastricht, The Netherlands. Nicole.dukers@ggdzl.nl.ORCID 0000-0003-4896-758X
Maastricht University Medical Centre · NLCardiovascular Institute Hospital · JPMaastricht University · NLNational Institute for Public Health and the Environment · NL

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundMost infections are spread through social networks (detrimental effect). However, social networks may also lower infection acquisition (beneficial effect). This study aimed to examine associations between social network parameters and prevalence of self-reported upper and lower respiratory, gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections in a population aged 40-75.

methodsIn this population-based cross-sectional cohort study (N = 3004, mean age 60.0 ± 8.2 years, 49% women), infections within the past two months were assessed by self-administered questionnaires. Social network parameters were assessed using a name generator questionnaire. To examine the associated beneficial and detrimental network parameters, univariable and multivariable logistic regression was used.

resultsParticipants reported an average of 10 people (alters) with whom they had 231 contacts per half year. Prevalences were 31.1% for upper respiratory, 11.5% for lower respiratory, 12.5% for gastrointestinal, and 5.7% for urinary tract infections. Larger network size, and a higher percentage of alters that were friends or acquaintances were associated with higher odds of upper respiratory, lower respiratory and/or gastrointestinal infections (detrimental). A higher total number of contacts, higher percentages of alters of the same age, and higher percentages of family members/acquaintances were associated with lower odds of upper respiratory, lower respiratory and/or gastrointestinal infections (beneficial).

conclusionWe identified both detrimental and beneficial associations of social network parameters with the prevalence of infections. Our findings can be used to complement mathematical models on infection spread, as well as to optimize current infectious disease control.

Indexed as

Self ReportSocial NetworkingAdultAgedCohort StudiesCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGastrointestinal DiseasesHumansLogistic ModelsMaleMiddle AgedNetherlandsPrevalenceProspective StudiesRespiratory Tract InfectionsGastrointestinal tract infectionLower respiratory tract infectionPublic healthSocial networkUpper respiratory tract infectionUrinary tract infection

Identifiers

PMID29973154
PMCPMC6030801
OpenAlexW2809853102

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.