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Critical Care
Published in: Critical Care 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Review

Effect of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic treatment on clinical outcomes in intensive care unit patients with infection and sepsis patients: a patient-level meta-analysis of randomized trials

Authors: Yannick Wirz, Marc A. Meier, Lila Bouadma, Charles E. Luyt, Michel Wolff, Jean Chastre, Florence Tubach, Stefan Schroeder, Vandack Nobre, Djillali Annane, Konrad Reinhart, Pierre Damas, Maarten Nijsten, Arezoo Shajiei, Dylan W. deLange, Rodrigo O. Deliberato, Carolina F. Oliveira, Yahya Shehabi, Jos A. H. van Oers, Albertus Beishuizen, Armand R. J. Girbes, Evelien de Jong, Beat Mueller, Philipp Schuetz

Published in: Critical Care | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

The clinical utility of serum procalcitonin levels in guiding antibiotic treatment decisions in patients with sepsis remains unclear. This patient-level meta-analysis based on 11 randomized trials investigates the impact of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic therapy on mortality in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with infection, both overall and stratified according to sepsis definition, severity, and type of infection.

Methods

For this meta-analysis focusing on procalcitonin-guided antibiotic management in critically ill patients with sepsis of any type, in February 2018 we updated the database of a previous individual patient data meta-analysis which was limited to patients with respiratory infections only. We used individual patient data from 11 trials that randomly assigned patients to receive antibiotics based on procalcitonin levels (the “procalcitonin-guided” group) or the current standard of care (the “controls”). The primary endpoint was mortality within 30 days. Secondary endpoints were duration of antibiotic treatment and length of stay.

Results

Mortality in the 2252 procalcitonin-guided patients was significantly lower compared with the 2230 control group patients (21.1% vs 23.7%; adjusted odds ratio 0.89, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8 to 0.99; p = 0.03). These effects on mortality persisted in a subgroup of patients meeting the sepsis 3 definition and based on the severity of sepsis (assessed on the basis of the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, occurrence of septic shock or renal failure, and need for vasopressor or ventilatory support) and on the type of infection (respiratory, urinary tract, abdominal, skin, or central nervous system), with interaction for each analysis being > 0.05. Procalcitonin guidance also facilitated earlier discontinuation of antibiotics, with a reduction in treatment duration (9.3 vs 10.4 days; adjusted coefficient −1.19 days, 95% CI −1.73 to −0.66; p <  0.001).

Conclusion

Procalcitonin-guided antibiotic treatment in ICU patients with infection and sepsis patients results in improved survival and lower antibiotic treatment duration.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Effect of procalcitonin-guided antibiotic treatment on clinical outcomes in intensive care unit patients with infection and sepsis patients: a patient-level meta-analysis of randomized trials
Authors
Yannick Wirz
Marc A. Meier
Lila Bouadma
Charles E. Luyt
Michel Wolff
Jean Chastre
Florence Tubach
Stefan Schroeder
Vandack Nobre
Djillali Annane
Konrad Reinhart
Pierre Damas
Maarten Nijsten
Arezoo Shajiei
Dylan W. deLange
Rodrigo O. Deliberato
Carolina F. Oliveira
Yahya Shehabi
Jos A. H. van Oers
Albertus Beishuizen
Armand R. J. Girbes
Evelien de Jong
Beat Mueller
Philipp Schuetz
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Critical Care / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1364-8535
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13054-018-2125-7

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