Systematic review comparing meropenem with imipenem plus cilastatin in the treatment of severe infections
ABSTRACT Objective: To compare the effectiveness of meropenem with imipenem plus cilastatin in the treatment of severe infections. Data sources: CENTRAL, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for abstracts and papers. All searching was completed in March 2004. No restriction was placed on language. Study...
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Published in | Current medical research and opinion Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 785 - 794 |
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Main Authors | , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
England
Informa UK Ltd
01.05.2005
Taylor & Francis Informa Healthcare |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | ABSTRACT
Objective: To compare the effectiveness of meropenem with imipenem plus cilastatin in the treatment of severe infections.
Data sources: CENTRAL, EMBASE and MEDLINE were searched for abstracts and papers. All searching was completed in March 2004. No restriction was placed on language.
Study selection: Randomized controlled trials of adult patients with severe infections treated with meropenem or imipenem plus cilastatin at an equal dose, on a gram-for-gram basis, and with the same dosing regimen.
Data extraction: Two reviewers independently assessed papers against the inclusion/exclusion criteria and for methodological quality with differences in opinion adjudicated by a third party. Data were extracted on clinical response, bacteriologic response, mortality and adverse events.
Data synthesis: A total of 27 trials met the inclusion criteria. Meta-analyses were carried out using a Fixed Effects model. Results demonstrated that when compared to imipenem plus cilastatin, meropenem is associated with a significantly greater clinical response (Relative Risk 1.04; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.01–1.06), a significantly greater bacteriologic response (RR 1.05; 95% CI: 1.01–1.08), a non-significant reduction in mortality (RR 0.98; 95% CI: 0.71–1.35), and a significantly lower adverse event rate (RR 0.87; 95% CI: 0.77–0.97).
Conclusions: This systematic review demonstrates that meropenem compared to imipenem plus cilastatin has a significantly greater clinical and bacteriologic response with a significant reduction in adverse events. There was no evidence of heterogeneity or publication bias and the analyses were robust to changes in the inclusion/exclusion criteria and use of a Random Effects model. |
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Bibliography: | ObjectType-Article-2 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-1 ObjectType-Review-4 content type line 23 ObjectType-Undefined-3 |
ISSN: | 0300-7995 1473-4877 |
DOI: | 10.1185/030079905X46223 |