COVID-19 pandemic and infodemic: challenges and opportunities for reliable and updated synthesis of knowledge

Abstract

In parallel to the pandemic due to a new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), which causes the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), another
epidemic emerges, called infodemic. This causes saturation and overexposure to information of variable quality and makes it difficult for healthcare personnel and other decision makers to access reliable information. In turn, there are various forms of information synthesis, among the best known of which are systematic reviews, which can assist decision-makers in formulating evidence-based care and policies. This article summarizes some of the limitations in current systematic reviews and the challenges posed by new evidence synthesis methods. Cochrane and other organizations have led methodological innovation to favor access and use of information synthesis in COVID-19. Rapid systematic reviews appear on the scene to answer high-priority questions in different countries, a repository of clinical trials on COVID-19 is created and an international protocol is launched to conduct a live network meta-analysis on effectiveness of therapeutic and preventive interventions in patients
infected by SARS-CoV-2. At the regional level, the COVID-19 database of the Pan American Health Organization and the free access registry of primary studies and systematic reviews (plataforma Living OVerview of the Evidence platform, L·OVE) are highlighted.