Antibiotic prescribing for bronchitis: time for a change?

Antibiotics in acute bronchitis: a meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Most patients with acute bronchitis who seek medical care are treated with antibiotics, although the effectiveness of this intervention is uncertain. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials to estimate the effectiveness of antibiotics in the treatment of acute bronchitis.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

English-language studies published January 1966 to April 1998 were retrieved using MEDLINE, bibliographies, and consultation with experts. Only randomized trials that enrolled otherwise healthy patients with a diagnosis of acute bronchitis, used an antibiotic in the treatment group and a placebo in the control group, and provided sufficient data to calculate an effect size were included.

RESULTS

We identified eight randomized controlled trials that satisfied all inclusion criteria. These studies used one of three antibiotics (erythromycin, doxycycline, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole). The use of antibiotics decreased the duration of cough and sputum production by approximately one-half day (summary effect size 0.21; 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.36). For specific symptoms, there were nonsignificant trends favoring the use of antibiotics: a decrease of 0.4 days of purulent sputum (95% CI, -0.1 to 0.8), a decrease of 0.5 days of cough (95% CI, -0.1 to 1.1), and a decrease of 0.3 days lost from work (95% CI, -0.6 to 1.1).

CONCLUSION

This meta-analysis suggests a small benefit from the use of the antibiotics erythromycin, doxycycline, or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in the treatment of acute bronchitis in otherwise healthy patients. As this small benefit must be weighed against the risk of side effects and the societal cost of increasing antibiotic resistance, we believe that the use of antibiotics is not justified in these patients.

Cefaclor into the millennium

We review the discovery and development of the cephalosporins and subsequently cefaclor. Cefaclor is active against a wide range of commonly encountered bacterial pathogens, acting by inhibiting cell wall synthesis. Its in vitro activity compares favourably with other beta-lactam antibiotics. Its pharmacokinetic properties indicate that an 8-hourly dosing schedule is appropriate. In addition a delayed release formulation allowing twice daily dosage has been developed. The efficacy of both formulations of cefaclor has been verified by many clinical trials. Cefaclor has been widely used in infections of the respiratory tract (including otitis media), urinary tract and soft tissues. The results of therapy are summarized. The low incidence of adverse events is highlighted and the beneficial influence of this on compliance is described. Finally, the pharmaco-economics of cefaclor are considered.

Epidemiology of lower respiratory tract infections

The aim of this review is to focus on the epidemiology of lower respiratory tract infections, the etiology, prognosis and risk factors, dividing these problems into the following issues: global impact of these afflictions, community-acquired pneumonia, hospital acquired pneumonia, respiratory infections in surgery, acute bronchitis and exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. Every year about 5 million people die of acute respiratory infections. Among these, pneumonia represents the most frequent cause of mortality, hospitalization and medical consultation. Several factors (age, underlying disease, environment) influence mortality, morbidity and also microbial etiology. The authors also refer to recent data on the most frequently identified antibiotic resistance of respiratory pathogens. The knowledge of such different clinico-epidemiological situations is essential to physicians for an effective approach to treatment of pneumonia and bronchitis.