Five RCTs were included in the meta-analyses (n=426). Sample size varied from 52 to 119. All the trials had an open-label study design. Three RCTs were judged as high quality. The timing of the late follow-up assessment varied between included trials and ranged from day of discharge to six months after discharge.
Compared with long-course antibiotic therapy, short-course antibiotic therapy had no significant difference in end-of-therapy clinical success (OR 1.24, 95% CI 0.73 to 2.11; five RCTs, n=383). Short-course antibiotic therapy was associated with a significant shorter duration of hospitalisation (WMD -2.17 days, 95% CI -3.85 to -0.50; two RCTs, n=137).
There were no significant differences in the outcomes of long-term neurological complications, long-term hearing impairment, total adverse events and secondary nosocomial infections between the two groups.
No significant heterogeneity was observed for the outcomes of end-of-therapy clinical success, long-term neurological complications and long-term hearing impairment. Sensitivity analysis did not materially affect the results. Results of statistical heterogeneity assessment for other outcomes were not presented. Results of publication bias assessment were not reported.