Procalcitonin‐guided antibiotic therapy in AECOPD patients: Overview of systematic reviews

Background Procalcitonin (PCT)-guided antibiotic therapy has emerged as mainstream treatment for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) and been studied in many systematic reviews (SRs), but robust conclusion not drawn. Thus, this overview aims to summarize critically evaluate the methodological evidence quality SRs on topic. Methods PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane library, Web science were searched regarding PCT-guided AECOPD. Two reviewers assessed line with AMSTAR-2 tool evaluated strength grading recommendations, assessment, development, evaluation (GRADE) system concerned outcomes independently. Results Six published from Jun 2011 Aug 2019, 4 (556 patients) 15 (2571 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) retrospective studies. All included classified critical low methodology according A MeaSurement Tool Assess Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR-2) tool. Most absented a list excluded studies (item 7), adequate investigation publication bias discuss its likely impact results 15). The may reduce exposure days prescription rate patients AECOPD without affecting success or causing adverse events (all-cause mortality, re-admission, re-exacerbation), should be study deeper moderate quality. Conclusion Current show that could employed by clinicians However, high-quality is lacking, further intensive exploration carried out precise role