Delayed antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections: protocol of an individual patient data meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Delayed prescribing can be a useful strategy to reduce antibiotic prescribing, but it is not clear for whom delayed prescribing might be effective. This protocol outlines an individual patient data (IPD) meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational cohort studies to explore the overall effect of delayed prescribing and identify key patient characteristics that are associated with efficacy of delayed prescribing.

Methods and analysis

A systematic search of the databases Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Embase, EBSCO CINAHL Plus and Web of Science was conducted to identify relevant studies from inception to October 2017. Outcomes of interest include duration of illness, severity of illness, complication,

SUBMITTER: Stuart B 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6347865 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature