Gloves for COVID-19: A living systematic review

Abstract

Methods We adapted an already published common protocol for multiple parallel systematic reviews to the specificities of this question. We searched for studies evaluating the effect of glove use in healthy population to prevent COVID-19. We conducted searches using the special L·OVE (Living OVerview of Evidence) platform for COVID-19, a system that maps PICO questions to a repository, maintained through regular searches in electronic databases, preprint servers, trial registries and websites relevant to COVID-19. All the searches covered the period until November 30, 2020. No date or language restrictions were applied.Two reviewers independently evaluated potentially eligible studies according to predefined selection criteria, and extracted data on study characteristics, methods, outcomes, and risk of bias, using a predesigned, standardised form.A living, web-based version of this review will be openly available during the COVID-19 pandemic. We will resubmit it every time the conclusions change or whenever there are substantial updates.ResultsOur search strategy yielded 362 references. Finally, only 1 non-randomised study evaluating the use of gloves among other preventive measures was considered eligible. We were not able to perform a meta-analyses, thus the results were presented as a narrative synthesis.In healthy population, the evidence is very uncertain about the effect of the use of gloves on COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations for COVID-19, respiratory failure and all cause-mortality. Conclusions The evidence is insufficient to support or refute the use of gloves in healthy population to prevent COVID-19. There should appear well designed studies addressing the question of this review to provide valuable evidence to inform researchers and decision makers in the near future.