Episode 293: 292. An Antibiotic RCT for Community Acquired Pneumonia

But now we have RCT data—278 adults with moderate CAP who were hospitalized (but not in intensive care) to receive either a β-lactam antimicrobial plus clarithromycin or a β-lactam alone. (all patients met sepsis or severe sepsis criteria) composite primary endpoint of improved respiratory symptoms and improved SOFA score by day 4 occurred in significantly more patients in the dual-antibiotic group (68% vs. 38%; number needed to treat, ≈3). Individuals on dual antibiotics also were significantly less likely to develop sepsis (13% vs. 24%; NNT, 10), significantly more likely to be discharged and alive at 3 months (79% vs. 62%; NNT, 6), and less likely to be readmitted within 90 days (8% vs. 15%; NNT, 14; P=0.09)https://www.clinicalkey.com/#!/content/playContent/1-s2.0-S2213260023004125?returnurl=https:%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS2213260023004125%3Fshowall%3Dtrue&referrer=https:%2F%2Fwww.jwatch.org%2F