Burden of infectious disease studies in Europe and the United Kingdom: a review of methodological design choices
Authors: Charalampous Periklis , Haagsma Juanita A. , Jakobsen Lea S. , Gorasso Vanessa , Noguer Isabel , Padron-Monedero Alicia , Sarmiento Rodrigo , Santos João Vasco , McDonald Scott A. , Plass Dietrich , Wyper Grant M. A. , Assunção Ricardo , von der Lippe Elena , Ádám Balázs , AlKerwi Ala'a , Arabloo Jalal , Baltazar Ana Lúcia , Bikbov Boris , Borrell-Pages Maria , Brus Iris , Burazeri Genc , Chaintoutis Serafeim C. , Chen-Xu José , Chkhaberidze Nino , Cilovic-Lagarija Seila , Corso Barbara , Cuschieri Sarah , Di Bari Carlotta , Dopelt Keren , Economou Mary , Emeto Theophilus I. , Fantke Peter , Fischer Florian , Freitas Alberto , García-González Juan Manuel , Gazzelloni Federica , Gissler Mika , Gkitakou Artemis , Gulmez Hakan , Gunes Sezgin , Haller Sebastian , Haneef Romana , Hincapié Cesar A. , Hynds Paul , Idavain Jane , Ilic Milena , Ilic Irena , Isola Gaetano , Kabir Zubair , Kamusheva Maria , Kolkhir Pavel , Konar Naime Meriç , Kostoulas Polychronis , Kulimbet Mukhtar , La Vecchia Carlo , Lauriola Paolo , Levi Miriam , Majer Marjeta , Mechili Enkeleint A. , Monasta Lorenzo , Mondello Stefania , Muñoz Laguna Javier , Nena Evangelia , Ng Edmond S. W. , Nguewa Paul , Niranjan Vikram , Nola Iskra Alexandra , O'Caoimh Rónán , Obradović Marija , Pallari Elena , Peyroteo Mariana , Pinheiro Vera , Pranjic Nurka , Reina Ortiz Miguel , Riva Silvia , Santoso Cornelia Melinda Adi , Santric Milicevic Milena , Schmitt Tugce , Speybroeck Niko , Sprügel Maximilian , Steiropoulos Paschalis , Stevanovic Aleksandar , Thygesen Lau Caspar , Tozija Fimka , Unim Brigid , Bektaş Uysal Hilal , Varga Orsolya , Vasic Milena , Vieira Rafael José , Yigit Vahit , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Pires Sara M. 
Published: January 2023

This systematic literature review aimed to provide an overview of the characteristics and methods used in studies applying the disability-adjusted life years (DALY) concept for infectious diseases within European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA)/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and the United Kingdom. Electronic databases and grey literature were searched for articles reporting the assessment of DALY and its components. We considered studies in which researchers performed DALY calculations using primary epidemiological data input sources. We screened 3053 studies of which 2948 were excluded and 105 studies met our inclusion criteria. Of these studies, 22 were multi-country and 83 were single-country studies, of which 46 were from the Netherlands. Food- and water-borne diseases were the most frequently studied infectious diseases. Between 2015 and 2022, the number of burden of infectious disease studies was 1.6 times higher compared to that published between 2000 and 2014. Almost all studies (97%) estimated DALYs based on the incidence- and pathogen-based approach and without social weighting functions; however, there was less methodological consensus with regards to the disability weights and life tables that were applied. The number of burden of infectious disease studies undertaken across Europe has increased over time. Development and use of guidelines will promote performing burden of infectious disease studies and facilitate comparability of the results.