Evidence map›Paper›PMID 35643508›Full record

ArticleParasites & vectors2022

A refined and updated health impact assessment of the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (2000-2020).

Hugo C Turner, Eric A Ottesen, Mark H Bradley

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Parasites & vectors, 2022. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
1.5field-weighted citation impact, top 16% 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

13 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 16 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
  3. Article
  4. Progression of lymphatic filariasis antigenaemia and microfilaraemia over 4.5 years in antigen-positive individuals, Samoa 2019-2023.International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases · 2025
    Article
  5. Recurrence of microfilaraemia after triple-drug therapy for lymphatic filariasis in Samoa: Recrudescence or reinfection?International journal of infectious diseases : IJID : official publication of the International Society for Infectious Diseases · 2025
    Article
  6. Article
  7. Article
  8. Article
  9. Article
  10. Narrowing the Gap in Managing the Lymphedema of Lymphatic Filariasis.The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene · 2024
    Article
  11. Article
  12. Article
  13. Article
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

3 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Hugo C TurnerMRC Centre for Global Infectious Disease Analysis, School of Public Health, Imperial College London, London, UK. hugo.turner@imperial.ac.uk.
Eric A OttesenThe Taskforce for Global Health, Decatur, Georgia.
Mark H BradleyGlobal Health Programs GlaxoSmithKline, London, UK.
GlaxoSmithKline (United Kingdom) · GBImperial College London · GBThe Task Force for Global Health · US

Funding

Medical Research Council MR/R015600/1
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundLymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease (NTD). In 2000 the World Health Organization (WHO) established the Global Programme to Eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis (GPELF). A key component of this programme is mass drug administration (MDA). Between 2000 and 2020, the GPELF has delivered over 8.6 billion treatments to at-risk populations. The last impact assessment of the programme evaluated the treatments provided between 2000-2014. The goal of this analysis is to provide an updated health impact assessment of the programme, based on the numbers treated between 2000-2020.

methodsWe updated and refined a previously established model that estimates the number of clinical manifestations and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) averted by the treatments provided by the GPELF. The model comprises three different population cohorts that can benefit from MDA provided (those protected from acquiring infection, those with subclinical morbidity prevented from progressing and those with clinical disease alleviated). The treatment numbers were updated for all participating countries using data from the WHO. In addition, data relating to the estimated number of individuals initially at risk of LF infection were updated where possible. Finally, the DALY calculations were refined to use updated disability weights.

resultsUsing the updated model and corresponding treatment data, we projected that the total benefit cohort of the GPELF (2000-2020) would consist of approximately 58.5 million individuals and the programme would avert 44.3 million chronic LF cases. Over the lifetime of the benefit cohorts, this corresponded to 244 million DALYs being averted.

conclusionThis study indicates that substantial health benefits have resulted from the first 20 years of the GPELF. It is important to note that the GPELF would have both additional benefits not quantified by the DALY burden metric as well as benefits on other co-endemic diseases (such as soil-transmitted helminths, onchocerciasis and scabies)-making the total health benefit underestimated. As with the past impact assessments, these results further justify the value and importance of continued investment in the GPELF.

Indexed as

Elephantiasis, FilarialGlobal HealthHealth Impact AssessmentHumansMass Drug AdministrationNeglected DiseasesDALYs avertedGPELFHealth impactLymphatic filariasisProgramme evaluation

Identifiers

PMID35643508
PMCPMC9148484
OpenAlexW4281754445

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.