Impact of selective decontamination of the digestive tract on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome: Systematic review of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE: We examined the impact of selective decontamination of the digestive tract on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. DATA SOURCES: We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, previous meta-analyses, and meetings proceedings. STUDY SELECTION: We included all randomized trials comparing both oropharyngeal and intestinal administration of antibiotics in selective decontamination of the digestive tract with or without a parenteral component, with placebo or standard therapy used in the controls. DATA EXTRACTION: Two reviewers independently applied selection criteria, performed quality assessment, and extracted the data. The primary end point was the number of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome developing during intensive care unit stay. Secondary end points were overall mortality and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome-related mortality. Odds ratios were pooled with the random effect model. DATA SYNTHESIS: We identified seven randomized trials including 1270 patients. Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome was found in 132 of 637 patients (20.7%) in the selective decontamination of the digestive tract group and in 219 of 633 patients (34.6%) in the control group (odds ratio, 0.50; 95% confidence interval, 0.34-0.74; p < .001). Overall mortality for selective decontamination of the digestive tract vs. control patients was 119 of 637 (18.7%) and 145 of 633 (22.9%), respectively, demonstrating a nonsignificant reduction in the odds of death (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.51-1.32; p = .41). In five studies including 472 patients, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome-related mortality was demonstrated in 31 of 239 (13%) patients in selective decontamination of the digestive tract group and 37 of 233 (15.9%) in the controls (odds ratio, 0.84; 95% confidence interval, 0.48-1.41; p = .54). CONCLUSIONS: Selective decontamination of the digestive tract reduces the number of patients with multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Mortality was not significantly reduced, probably because of the small sample size.