REBEL EM - May 3, 2021 - By Marco Propersi
Paper: Dinh A et al. Discontinuing β-Lactam Treatment After 3 Days for Patients with Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Non-Critical Care Wards (PTC): A Double-Blind, Randomised, Placebo-Controlled, Non-Inferiority Trial. Lancet 2021. PMID: 33773631
“Clinical Question: Is a 3-day course of β-lactam therapy “not worse” than an 8-day course for admitted patients with CAP who are not critically ill?
Authors Conclusion: “Among patients admitted to hospital with community-acquired pneumonia who met clinical stability criteria, discontinuing β-lactam treatment after three days was non-inferior to 8 days of treatment. These findings could allow a substantial reduction of antibiotic consumption.“
Clinical Bottom Line:
The authors found that three days of β-lactam therapy was non-inferior to 8 days of β-lactam therapy in treatment for select patients with CAP who were not admitted to the ICU. However, we believe large multinational trials are needed before instituting major practice changes.”
