Extract
The use of macrolides in combination with betalactams to improve outcomes in patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) remains a topic of controversy, mainly because most of the evidence comes from observational studies rather than from randomised clinical trials (RCTs). Some recent studies have suggested that macrolides are effective in patients with Streptococcus pneumoniae infection plus a high systemic inflammatory response [1]. However, macrolides can be harmful [2] and there is a clear need to identify CAP phenotypes that would benefit from macrolides without suffering negative effects. We are unlikely to solve this question using conventional study designs; rather, we need to explore new technologies, among them the use of models obtained with machine learning methodology.
Abstract
The article by König and co-workers paves the way for the selection of a subset of patients with CAP in whom combination initial therapy including macrolides could improve outcomes using a new and interesting mathematical approach http://bit.ly/2p8RdCD
Footnotes
Support statement: C. Cillóniz is the recipient of a postdoctoral grant (Strategic plan for research and innovation in health; ERIS 2016–2020), the SEPAR fellowship 2018, and a grant from the Fondo de Investigación Sanitaria (PI19/00207).
Conflict of interest: C. Garcia-Vidal has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: C. Cilloniz has nothing to disclose.
Conflict of interest: A. Torres has nothing to disclose.
- Received October 29, 2019.
- Accepted October 29, 2019.
- Copyright ©ERS 2019