UK Medicines Information
Azithromycin maintenance treatment in patients with frequent exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COLUMBUS): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Information type:
Randomised controlled trials
Source:
The Lancet Respiratory Medicine
Specialities:
Infection and infectious diseases | Respiratory disorders
Summary
Azithromycin (500mg 3 times weekly for 12 months) reduced the exacerbation rate versus placebo in 92 patients with COPD and a history of 3 or more exacerbations in the previous year (0•58, 95% CI 0•42—0•79; p=0•001). The NNT to prevent one patient from exacerbating is five.
UKMi comment
A related commentary discusses these study findings.
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Comment