A prototype for evidence synopsis for hand-held computers* Based on: Review: antibiotics do not lead to general improvement in upper respiratory tract infections. Evidence-Based Nursing 1999;2:78. Abstract of: Arroll B, Kenealy T. Antibiotics versus placebo in the common cold. Cochrane review, 8 Apr 1998. In: Cochrane Library. Oxford: Update Software.
| Question | Study groups | Outcomes at 1–7 days (5 trials) | Weighted EER | Weighted CER | RBR (95% CI) | NNH |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conclusion: in patients with acute upper respiratory infection, antibiotics are no more beneficial in terms of general improvement than placebo and are associated with a non-significant increase in adverse effects. | ||||||
| *EER = experimental event rate, CER = control event rate, RBR = relative benefit reduction, RRI = relative risk increase, NS = not statistically significant.; RBR, RRI, NNH, and CI calculated from data in article. | ||||||
| In patients with acute respiratory tract infections, what is the efficacy and safety of antibiotics (compared with placebo) in curing infection and improving nasopharyngeal symptoms? | Experimental: antibiotics (tetracycline, penicillin, ampicillin, amoxicillin, erythromycin, and cotrimoxizole) Control: placebo | General improvement | 51.2% | 52.5% | 2% (−5 to 10) | NS |
| RRI (CI) | ||||||
| Adverse effects | 9.7% | 3.6% | 82% (−25 to 340) | NS | ||