Table 1.
Summary of Shorter Is Better Randomized Controlled Trials
| Diagnosis | Short (d) | Long (d) | Result | No. of RCTs | Refs. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community-acquired pneumonia | 3–5 | 5–14 | Equal | 14 | [32–45] |
| Atypical community-acquired pneumonia | 1 | 3 | Equal | 1 | [46] |
| Possible pneumonia in ICU | 3 | 14–21 | Equal | 1 | [47] |
| Ventilator-associated pneumonia | 8 | 15 | Equal | 2 | [48, 49] |
| Complicated UTI/pyelonephritis | 5 or 7 | 10 or 14 | Equal | 9 | [50–58] |
| Complicated intra-abdominal infection | 4–8 | 10–15 | Equal | 2 | [59, 60] |
| Gram-negative bacillus bacteremia | 7 | 14 | Equal | 3 | [61–63] |
| Cellulitis/wound/abscess | 5–6 | 10 | Equal | 4 | [64–67] |
| Osteomyelitis | 42 | 84 | Equal | 2 | [68, 69] |
| Osteomyelitis s/P implant removal | 28 | 42 | Equal | 1 | [70] |
| Diabetic osteomyelitis s/P Debridement | 10–21 | 42–90 | Equal | 2 | [71, 72] |
| Septic arthritis | 14 | 28 | Equal | 1 | [73] |
| Acute exacerbations of bronchitis and sinusitis | ≤5 | ≥7 | Equal | >25 | [74–81] |
| Neutropenic fever | AFx72 h/3d | ANC > 500/9d | Equal | 2 | [82, 83] |
| Perioperative prophylaxis | 0–1 | 1–5 | Equal | 56 | [84–88] |
| Plasmodium vivax malaria | 7 | 14 | Equal | 1 | [89] |
| Erythema migrans (Lyme disease) | 7 | 14 | Equal | 1 | [90] |
Abbreviations: ANC, absolute neutrophil count; d, day; h, hour; ICU, intensive care unit; RCT, randomized controlled trial; Refs., references; UTI, urinary tract infection.