Evidence
This page contains a snapshot of featured content which highlights evidence addressing key clinical questions including areas of uncertainty. Please see the main topic reference list for details of all sources underpinning this topic.
BMJ Best Practice evidence tables
Evidence tables provide easily navigated layers of evidence in the context of specific clinical questions, using GRADE and a BMJ Best Practice Effectiveness rating. Follow the links at the bottom of the table, which go to the related evidence score in the main topic text, providing additional context for the clinical question. Find out more about our evidence tables.
This table is a summary of the analysis reported in a Cochrane Clinical Answer that focuses on the above important clinical question.
Confidence in the evidence is moderate or low to moderate where GRADE has been performed and the intervention may be more effective/beneficial than the comparison for key outcomes.
Population: Adults in secondary care (infectious disease unit or outpatient clinic) with recurrent erysipelas or cellulitis
Intervention: Antibiotic prophylaxis ᵃ
Comparison: No treatment or placebo
| Outcome | Effectiveness (BMJ rating)? | Confidence in evidence (GRADE)? |
|---|---|---|
Recurrence of cellulitis (follow‐up 1-38 months) | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Recurrence of cellulitis (follow‐up after treatment phase: 6-month intervals where reported) | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Incidence rate of recurrence of cellulitis (follow‐up 1-38 months) | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Incidence rate of recurrence of cellulitis (follow‐up after treatment phase: 6-month intervals where reported) | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Time to next episode of cellulitis (follow‐up 1-38 months) | Favours intervention | Moderate |
Time to next episode of cellulitis (follow‐up after treatment phase: 6-month intervals where reported) | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Hospitalisation | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Any adverse reactions | No statistically significant difference | Low |
Treatment withdrawal due to adverse reaction | See note ᵇ | GRADE assessment not performed for this outcome |
Mortality | No statistically significant difference | GRADE assessment not performed for this outcome |
Note ᵃ See Cochrane Clinical Answer (CCA) for more information. ᵇ Results were reported narratively. The CCA notes that, where reported, withdrawals were due to abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhoea, and injection site pain. See CCA for more information.
This evidence table is related to the following section/s:
Cochrane Clinical Answers
Cochrane Clinical Answers (CCAs) provide a readable, digestible, clinically focused entry point to rigorous research from Cochrane systematic reviews. They are designed to be actionable and to inform decision making at the point of care and have been added to relevant sections of the main Best Practice text.
- Which antibiotic is the most effective in people with cellulitis and erysipelas?
- What are the benefits and harms of antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of recurrent cellulitis?
Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer