Twenty five studies met the inclusion criteria for the review, but only one study fulfilled the criteria for inclusion in the analysis (n was unclear).
Antibiotic treatment was successful in 81% of patients treated on a three-day regimen and in 83% of patients treated with a five-day regimen. Patients who complied with antibiotic treatment were significantly more likely to respond to treatment than patients who were poor compliers with three-day treatment regimens (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.73 to 0.78) and five-day treatment regimens (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.71).
The decision analytic model predicted 76% treatment success for good-compliant patients and 49.3% (Spain), 54.6% (Italy) and 59.9% (USA) treatment success for poor-compliant patients.