Bruce Arroll1, Tim Kenealy, Karen Falloon. 1. Dept of General Practice and Primary Health Care University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. b.arroll@auckland.ac.nz
Abstract
AIM: To determine the effect of antibiotic treatment versus placebo in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of antibiotics versus placebo in randomised controlled trials to initially treat acute upper respiratory tract infections. RESULTS: Eight studies of children from age 6 months and adults up to the age of 49 years were found. The main outcome measures were general improvement and adverse effects. No benefit was demonstrated in terms of overall improvement from the use of antibiotics compared to placebo for patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections RR=0.89 (95%CI 0.77-1.04). There was also a significant increase in adverse effects (mainly gastrointestinal) using a random effects model with a relative risk RR=2.71 (95%CI 1.08-6.83). CONCLUSIONS: Initial use of antibiotics do not benefit patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections and are associated with an increase in adverse effects.
AIM: To determine the effect of antibiotic treatment versus placebo in patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effect of antibiotics versus placebo in randomised controlled trials to initially treat acute upper respiratory tract infections. RESULTS: Eight studies of children from age 6 months and adults up to the age of 49 years were found. The main outcome measures were general improvement and adverse effects. No benefit was demonstrated in terms of overall improvement from the use of antibiotics compared to placebo for patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections RR=0.89 (95%CI 0.77-1.04). There was also a significant increase in adverse effects (mainly gastrointestinal) using a random effects model with a relative risk RR=2.71 (95%CI 1.08-6.83). CONCLUSIONS: Initial use of antibiotics do not benefit patients with acute upper respiratory tract infections and are associated with an increase in adverse effects.
Authors: Gian Franco Cupido; Matteo Gelardi; Ignazio La Mantia; Salvo Emanuele Aragona; Claudio Vicini; Giorgio Ciprandi; Italian Study Group On Inflammatory Otorhinolaryngological Disorders Journal: Acta Biomed Date: 2019-07-10
Authors: Mieke L van Driel; Simon Morgan; Amanda Tapley; Lawrie McArthur; Patrick McElduff; Lucy Yardley; Anthea Dallas; Laura Deckx; Katie Mulquiney; Joshua S Davis; Andrew Davey; Kim Henderson; Paul Little; Parker J Magin Journal: BMC Fam Pract Date: 2016-06-06 Impact factor: 2.497