Thirteen studies (7,434 patients, range 172 to 1,061) met inclusion criteria. Nine studies were described as double blind and four were open-label. Study follow-up ranged from seven to 92 days.
Across the 13 studies, 148 out of 3,788 (4%) patients on tigecycline and 106 out of 3,646 (3%) patients treated with comparator antibiotics died (RD 0.7%, 95% CI 0.1 to 1.2; p=0.01; Ι²=0%). The non-cure rate with tigecycline was also increased (RD 2.9%, 95% CI 0.6 to 5.2; p=0.01; Ι²=25%). There was no evidence of publication bias.
Results of subgroup analyses by type of infection, type of data available for analysis and approval status were reported. Sample size and use of blinding were investigated using meta-regression.