Study designs of evaluations included in the review
RCTs, non-randomised non-controlled trials, randomised non- controlled, and randomised controlled crossover trials of antistaphylococcal treatment in cystic fibrosis were included. Duration of RCTs ranged from 2 months to 2 years.
Specific interventions included in the review
The following antibiotics were used either alone or in combination: trimethoprim; sulphamethoxazole; cefadroxil; dicloxacillin; cephalexin; flucloxacillin; cloxacillin; ampicillin; amoxycillin (with and without clavulanic acid); penicillin V; erythromycin; cotrimoxazole; cephalosporin; ciprofloxacin; fusidic acid; lincomycin; chloramphenicol; novobiocin; carbenicillin; gentamycin; clindamycin; oxacillin; rifampicin; methicillin; cephuroxime; and macrolide. Drugs were given either continuously or intermittently using oral, intravenous and inhalation administration methods.
Participants included in the review
Patients with cystic fibrosis, including children under the age of 5, were studied.
Outcomes assessed in the review
The following outcomes were assessed in the randomised controlled trials (RCTs): pulmonary function tests, chest radiography score, clearance of Staphylococcal aureus from sputum, cough frequency, respiratory exacerbations, antibiotic courses, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, serum immunoglobulin, weight, height, and hospital admissions.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors do not state how the papers were selected for the review, or how many of the authors performed the selection.