Prolonged versus intermittent β-lactam antibiotics intravenous infusion strategy in sepsis or septic shock patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis and trial sequential analysis of randomized trials

Table 2 Summay table of findings

Outcomes	Anticipated absolute effects (95%CI)		Relative effect (95%CI)	Number of participants (studies)	Certainty of the evidence (GRADE)
Outcomes	Risk with intermittent infusion	Risk with prolonged infusion	Relative effect (95%CI)	Number of participants (studies)	Certainty of the evidence (GRADE)
Hospital mortality	267 per 1000	185 per 1000 (126 to 273)	RR 0.69 (0.47 to 1.02)	825 (9 RCTs)	⨁⨁◯◯ Low
Attainment of target plasma concentration	494 per 1000	198 per 1000 (104 to 371)	RR 0.40 (0.21 to 0.75)	177 (2 RCTs)	⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate
Clinical cure	472 per 1000	396 per 1000 (344 to 458)	RR 0.84 (0.73 to 0.97)	886 (9 RCTs)	⨁⨁◯◯ Low
Adverse event	123 per 1000	124 per 1000 (117 to 131)	RR 1.01 (0.95 to 1.06)	691 (3 RCTs)	⨁⨁⨁◯ Moderate
Occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria	39 per 1000	21 per 1000 (4 to 111)	RR 0.53 (0.10 to 2.83)	198 (1 RCT)	⨁⨁◯◯ Low

GRADE Working Group grades of evidence: High certainty—we are very confident that the true effect lies close to that of the estimate of the effect. Moderate certainty—we are moderately confident in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be close to the estimate of the effect, but there is a possibility that it is substantially different. Low certainty: our confidence in the effect estimate is limited: the true effect may be substantially different from the estimate of the effect. Very low certainty—we have very little confidence in the effect estimate: the true effect is likely to be substantially different from the estimate of the effect
CI confidence interval; GRADE Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation; RR risk ratio; RCT randomized controlled trial

ISSN: 2052-0492