Point-of-Care C-Reactive protein testing to reduce antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in primary care: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials

Martínez-González, Nahara Anani; Keizer, Ellen; Plate, Andreas; Coenen, Samuel; Valeri, Fabio; Verbakel, Jan Yvan Jos; Rosemann, Thomas; Neuner-Jehle, Stefan; Senn, Oliver

doi:10.3390/antibiotics9090610

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Martínez-González, N. A., Keizer, E., Plate, A., Coenen, S., Valeri, F., Verbakel, J. Y. J., Rosemann, T., Neuner-Jehle, S., & Senn, O. (2020). Point-of-Care C-Reactive protein testing to reduce antibiotic prescribing for respiratory tract infections in primary care: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Antibiotics, 9(9), E610. https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics9090610

Abstract

C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing (POCT) is increasingly being promoted to reduce diagnostic uncertainty and enhance antibiotic stewardship. In primary care, respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are the most common reason for inappropriate antibiotic prescribing, which is a major driver for antibiotic resistance. We systematically reviewed the available evidence on the impact of CRP-POCT on antibiotic prescribing for RTIs in primary care. Thirteen moderate to high-quality studies comprising 9844 participants met our inclus