What do systematic reviews say?

Summary of findings table ‐ immunostimulant vs placebo

Summary of findings table ‐ immunostimulant probably leads to lower number of participants requiring antibiotics compared with placebo (moderate certainty).

• Immunostimulants versus placebo for preventing exacerbations in adults with chronic bronchitis or chronic obstructive… 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  OR 0.34 [0.18, 0.63]
  5 studies · 542 participants
  Moderate

Catheter guidewire exchange vs catheter removal and replacement

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Interventions for treating catheter‐related bloodstream infections in people receiving maintenance haemodialysis 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Short‐acting inhaled beta‐2 agonists vs placebo

It is very uncertain whether short‐acting inhaled beta‐2 agonists changes number of exacerbations(as reported by number of hospitalisations… compared with placebo (very low certainty).

• Short‐acting inhaled bronchodilators for cystic fibrosis 2022 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 21 participants
  Very low

Professional oral care vs Usual oral care

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Oral care measures for preventing nursing home‐acquired pneumonia 2022 · Cochrane All outcomes
  No studies measured change in systemic antibiotic use.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Oxytocin solution vs expectant management

It is very uncertain whether oxytocin solution changes need for treatment with antibiotics (infection) compared with expectant management (very low certainty).

• Umbilical vein injection for management of retained placenta 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.16 [0.32, 4.16]
  1 study · 179 participants
  Very low

Oxytocin solution vs Normal saline

Oxytocin solution showed no clear difference in need for treatment with antibiotics (infection) compared with saline solution (moderate certainty).

• Umbilical vein injection for management of retained placenta 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 1.26 [0.81, 1.96]
  2 studies · 635 participants
  Moderate

Oxytocin solution vs plasma expander

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Umbilical vein injection for management of retained placenta 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Saline vs expectant management

It is very uncertain whether saline solution changes need for treatment with antibiotics (infection) compared with expectant management (very low certainty).

• Umbilical vein injection for management of retained placenta 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.48 [0.09, 2.54]
  1 study · 176 participants
  Very low

Rapid susceptibility methods vs standard methods versus placebo

• Rapid versus standard antimicrobial susceptibility testing to guide treatment of bloodstream infection 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  5 studies · 1493 participants
  Low

Standard treatment plus systemic corticosteroids vs usual care

It is very uncertain whether standard treatment plus systemic corticosteroids changes duration of time requiring intravenous antibiotics compared with standard treatment alone (very low certainty).

• Corticosteroids for periorbital and orbital cellulitis 2021 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  MD 3
  1 study · 21 participants
  Very low

Toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics), as part of oral hygiene care vs No toothbrushing (with or without antiseptics)

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes
  This outcome was not reported by any of the studies in this comparison.
  0 studies
  No studies found

Chlorhexidine (mouthrinse or gel), as part of oral hygiene care vs placebo or usual care

Chlorhexidine (mouthrinse or gel), as part of oral hygiene care showed no clear difference in duration of systemic antibiotic use compared with placebo or usual care; GRADE not reported.

• Oral hygiene care for critically ill patients to prevent ventilator‐associated pneumonia 2020 · Cochrane All outcomes
  MD 0.65 [-0.58, 1.88]
  1 study · 146 participants
  GRADE not reported

Inhaled corticosteroids vs placebo

It is very uncertain whether summary of findings: inhaled corticosteroids changes respiratory exacerbations: number of days on intravenous antibiotics… compared with placebo (very low certainty).

• Inhaled corticosteroids for cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 17 participants
  Very low

Intervention not reported

• Once‐daily versus multiple‐daily dosing with intravenous aminoglycosides for cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 113 participants
  Moderate

Intervention not reported

The review found no eligible studies for this question.

• Once‐daily versus multiple‐daily dosing with intravenous aminoglycosides for cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  Studies not reported
  No studies found

Summary of findings ‐ PEP vs oscillating PEP

• Positive expiratory pressure physiotherapy for airway clearance in people with cystic fibrosis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  3 studies · 112 participants
  Moderate

Bleach bath vs placebo or bath emollient

• Interventions to reduce Staphylococcus aureus in the management of eczema 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  no estimate extracted
  1 study · 80 participants
  Very low

Probiotics vs placebo

Probiotic probably leads to lower difference in the use of antibiotics compared with placebo (moderate certainty).

• Probiotics for preventing acute otitis media in children 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  RR 0.66 [0.51, 0.86]
  8 studies · 1768 participants
  Moderate

Intervention not reported

It is very uncertain whether the intervention changes antibiotics (2 RCTs; 57 participants) (very low certainty).

• Interventions for maintenance of surgically induced remission in Crohn’s disease: a network meta‐analysis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.98 [0.5, 1.71]
  2 studies · 57 participants
  Very low

Intervention not reported

It is very uncertain whether the intervention changes antibiotics (2 RCTs; 57 participants) (very low certainty).

• Interventions for maintenance of surgically induced remission in Crohn’s disease: a network meta‐analysis 2019 · Cochrane Headline outcomes only
  HR 0.8 [0.33, 1.65]
  2 studies · 57 participants
  Very low