Physio-metabolic and clinical consequences of wearing face masks-Systematic review with meta-analysis and comprehensive evaluation.
medical surgical masks, N95 masks
wearing face masks
no face masks
decreased SpO2, face mask side-effects
Abstract
As face masks became mandatory in most countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse effects require substantiated investigation. A systematic review of 2,168 studies on adverse medical mask effects yielded 54 publications for synthesis and 37 studies for meta-analysis (on We found significant effects in both medical surgical and N95 masks, with a greater impact of the second. These effects included decreased SpO Masks interfered with O Face mask side-effects must be assessed (risk-benefit) against the available evidence of their effectiveness against viral transmissions. In the absence of strong empirical evidence of effectiveness, mask wearing should not be mandated let alone enforced by law. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?ID=CRD42021256694, identifier: PROSPERO 2021 CRD42021256694.