| Author/Editor | Pavlišič, Matjaž | |
| Title | Klaritromicin v zdravljenju bolnikov z okužbami spodnjih dihal in napovedna vrednost mikrobioloških preiskav pri bolnikih s kroničnim bronhitisom | |
| Type | monografija | |
| Place | Ljubljana | |
| Publisher | Univerza v Ljubljani, Medicinska fakulteta | |
| Publication year | 2006 | |
| Volume | str. 80 | |
| Language | slo | |
| Abstract | Background: Respiratory tract infections are a common complaint that brings patients to the practitioner's office and the most frequent reason for antibiotic prescriptions. Every fourth patient with respiratory infection has a lower respiratory tract infection. Our aim was to determine the efficacy of clarithromycin in the treatment of patients with pneumonia or acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Additionally, we tested the hypothesis that more frequent use of microbiological tests might lead to more rational prescribing of antibiotics. Patients: 538 patients with a mild community-acquired pneumonia and 245 patients with a mild to moderate acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis were included in clinical trials. They received 250 mg or 500 mg of clarithromycin (Fromilid) twice daily. Results: Clinical success (cure or improvement) was observed in 98.3% of patients with pneumonia (527 of 536 patients) and in 96.7% of patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis (235 of 243 patients). 85.2% of patients with pneumonia (454 of 533 patients) had RTG proven resolution. Haemophilus spp. and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the most common isolated pathogens in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis. Bacteriological eradication after clarithromycin therapy was observed in 86% of these patients (90 of 105). Treatment was more successful in patients with pneumonia who did not have other diseases and in patients with acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis who did not smoke and who started taking clarithromycin early. Adverse effects were observed in about 10% of patients, while four patients (0.5%) discontinued treatment with clarithromycin. Conclusions: Overall, treatment with clarithromycin was clinically successful in 97.8% of patients (762 of 779; "per protocol") with lower respiratory tract infections. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters) | |
| Descriptors | BRONCHITIS CLARITHROMYCIN PNEUMONIA HAEMOPHILUS STREPTOCOCCUS PNEUMONIAE TREATMENT OUTCOME |