Methodological Principles of Case-Control Studies That Analyzed Risk Factors for Antibiotic Resistance: A Systematic Review

• Published in: Clinical infectious diseases Vol. 32; no. 7; pp. 1055 - 1061
• Main Authors: Harris, Anthony D., Karchmer, Tobi B., Carmeli, Yehuda, Samore, Matthew H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL The University of Chicago Press 01.04.2001; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Antibacterial agents; Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotics; Antibiotics. Antiinfectious agents. Antiparasitic agents; Biological and medical sciences; Case control studies; Control groups; Diseases; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Humans; Infections; Medical sciences; Pathogens; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Predisposing factors; Recommendations; Review Article; Risk Factors; Staphylococcus aureus; Resistance; Antibiotic; Investigation method; Methodology; Criterion; Risk factor; Case control study; Microorganism; Antibacterial agent; Comparative study; Bibliographic review
• ISSN: 1058-4838; 1537-6591
• DOI: 10.1086/319600

Case-control studies that analyze the risk factors for antibiotic-resistant organisms have varied epidemiological methodologies, which may lead to biased estimates of antibiotic risk factors. A systematic review of case-control studies that analyzed risk factors for antibiotic-resistant organisms addressed 3 methodological principles: method of control group selection, adjustment for time at risk, and adjustment for comorbid illness. A total of 406 abstracts were reviewed. Thirty-seven studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria and were reviewed and evaluated for the 3 methodological principles. Thirteen (35%) of 37 studies chose the preferred control group. Eleven adjusted for time at risk. Twenty-seven adjusted for comorbid illness. Future studies need to consider more closely the optimization of control group selection, adjusting for confounding caused by time at risk, and adjusting for confounding caused by comorbid illness.