Antibacterial data synthesis challenges: a systematic review of treatments for complicated gram-negative urinary tract infections

Aim: To determine the suitability of network meta-analysis (NMA) using antibacterial treatment evidence in complicated urinary tract infection. Materials & methods: We conducted a systematic literature review to identify published clinical trial data for complicated urinary tract infection treatments. We performed a feasibility assessment to determine whether the available evidence would support the creation of a robust NMA, considering key assumptions of homogeneity, similarity and consistency. Results: Twenty-five trials met eligibility criteria. Risk of bias was low, and individual studies met their primary end point(s). Assumptions central to the conduct of a robust NMA were not met. Heterogeneity was ubiquitous, including baseline pathogen, treatment and patient characteristics. Conclusion: Limited and heterogeneous data identified make the use of NMA to compare novel antibacterial agents impractical and likely unreliable.