Five RCTs (n=1,186) were included in the review.
In terms of study quality, the median score on the Jadad scale was 6 (range: 5 to 7). A Begg's funnel plot analysis showed no evidence of publication bias in the review. The authors stated that the Wolfe statistic revealed no statistical heterogeneity between the trials.
Clinical cure (5 RCTs, n=1,186): there was no statistically significant difference between quinolone and the comparator groups; the pooled OR was 1.12 (95% CI: 0.80, 1.55) in favour of quinolones.
Mortality (5 RCTs, n=1,186): there was no statistically significant difference between quinolone and the comparator groups; the pooled OR was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.57, 1.37) in favour of quinolones.
Microbiologic eradication (5 RCTs, n=1,186): the difference between quinolone and the comparator groups approached a level of statistical significance in favour of quinolones; the pooled OR was 1.41 (95% CI: 1.00, 2.00).
Emergence of resistance (3 RCTs, n=899): of the 3 trials that assessed the emergence of resistance, only the results of one were reported. This trial found that the emergence of resistance occurred less often with quinolones than with imipenem-cilistatin: 33% of Pseudomonas aeroginosa isolates with quinolones versus 53% with control.