Fosfomycin Trometamol versus Comparator Antibiotics for the Treatment of Acute Uncomplicated Urinary Tract Infections in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PURPOSE: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to compare the effectiveness and safety profile of fosfomycin vs comparator antibiotics in women with acute uncomplicated cystitis.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Relevant databases were searched using methods recommended by the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis) guidelines. We assessed the risk of bias and confounders. The study primary end point was clinical or microbiological success, defined as complete (cure) and/or incomplete resolution of symptoms at the end of treatment (improvement) and/or microbiological eradication.

RESULTS

After screening 539 articles 15 were included which recruited a total of 2,295 adult female patients. Of the studies 14 were used for microbiological eradication analysis. We used 11 of the 15 articles in a total of 1,976 patients for clinical resolution and 11 in a total of 1,816 patients for safety outcome analysis. No difference was found for clinical resolution in all comparators combined in 11 randomized controlled trials in a total of 1,976 patients (OR 1.16, 95% CI 0.91-1.49, p=0.13). No difference was found for microbiological eradication in 14 randomized controlled trials in a total of 2,052 patients (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.83-1.30, p=0.09) or for safety outcome in 11 randomized controlled trials in a total of 1,816 patients (OR 1.17, 95% CI 0.86-1.58, p=0.33). Most adverse effects reported for fosfomycin were transient and single dose therapy seems to have resulted in better patient compliance.

CONCLUSIONS

Single dose oral fosfomycin trometamol is equal to comparator regimens in terms of clinical and microbiological effectiveness and safety in women with microbiologically confirmed and/or clinically suspected, acute uncomplicated cystitis. It is associated with high patient compliance.