[Correspondence] Reassessment of a meta-analysis of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy for lower respiratory tract infections – Authors' reply

We agree with Neil Gaskill that based on our analysis, the largest effects of procalcitonin protocols on antibiotic consumption were found in patients in primary care and the emergency department, with reductions in antibiotic use of around 65% and 35%, respectively.1 However, the effects of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic treatment on mortality were most pronounced in critically-ill patients at highest risk for fatal outcome. We did not find evidence for interaction by setting or respiratory infection, suggesting that procalcitonin-guided care has similar effects among the subgroups.
Source: The Lancet Infectious Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Authors: Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research