Does chlorhexidine reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICU patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate chlorhexidine's efficacy in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). DESIGN: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. SETTINGS: The data were obtained from Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. PATIENTS OR PARTICIPANTS: Only mechanically ventilated patients for at least 48h were included. INTERVENTIONS: Randomized clinical trials applying any dosage form of chlorhexidine were eligible. MAIN VARIABLES OF INTEREST: The relative risk (RR) of the VAP incidence and all-cause mortality was assessed using the random-effects model. The mean difference in days of mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay were also appraised. RESULTS: Ten studies involving 1233 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The oral application of CHX reduced the incidence of VAP (RR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.55, 0.97]) and did not show an increase in all-cause mortality (RR, 1.13 [95% CI, 0.96, 1.32]). CONCLUSIONS: CHX proved effective to prevent VAP. However, a conclusion on mortality rates could not be drawn because the quality of the evidence was very low for this outcome.

Does chlorhexidine reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in ICU patients? A systematic review and meta-analysis / El cuidado bucal de rutina con clorhexidina reduce la incidencia de neumonía asociada al ventilador en pacientes de la UCI? Una revisión sistemática y metanálisis

Objective This study aimed to investigate chlorhexidine’s efficacy in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Design A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Settings The data were obtained from Pubmed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE. Patients or participants Only mechanically ventilated patients for at least 48h were included. Interventions Randomized clinical trials applying any dosage form of chlorhexidine were eligible. Main variables of interest The relative risk (RR) of the VAP incidence and all-cause mortality was assessed using the random-effects model. The mean difference in days of mechanical ventilation duration and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay were also appraised. Results Ten studies involving 1233 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The oral application of CHX reduced the incidence of VAP (RR, 0.73 [95% CI, 0.55, 0.97]) and did not show an increase in all-cause mortality (RR, 1.13 [95% CI, 0.96, 1.32]). Conclusions CHX proved effective to prevent VAP. However, a conclusion on mortality rates could not be drawn because the quality of the evidence was very low for this outcome (AU)

Objetivo Este estudio tuvo como objetivo investigar la eficacia de la clorhexidina en la prevención de la neumonía asociada al ventilador (NAV). Diseño se realizó una revisión sistemática y un metanálisis siguiendo los elementos de informe (PRISMA) Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. Ámbito Los datos se obtuvieron de Pubmed, Cochrane Library y EMBASE. Pacientes o participantes solo se incluyeron pacientes con ventilación mecánica durante al menos 48 horas. Intervenciones Fueron elegibles los ensayos clínicos aleatorios que aplicaban cualquier forma de dosificación de clorhexidina. Variables de interés principales Se evaluó el riesgo relativo (RR) de incidencia de NAVM y mortalidad por todas las causas mediante el modelo de efectos aleatorios. También se evaluó la diferencia media en los días de duración de la ventilación mecánica y la duración de la estancia en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). Resultados Diez estudios con 1233 pacientes se incluyeron en el metanálisis. La aplicación oral de CHX redujo la incidencia de VAP (RR, 0,73 [IC 95%, 0,55, 0,97]) y no mostró un aumento en la mortalidad por todas las causas (RR, 1,13 [IC 95%, 0,96, 1,32]. Conclusiones CHX demostró ser eficaz para prevenir la VAP. Sin embargo, no se pudo establecer una conclusión sobre las tasas de mortalidad porque la calidad de la evidencia fue muy baja para este resultado (AU)