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Re-evaluation of a randomized controlled trial of antibiotics for minor respiratory illness in general practice

Re-evaluation of a randomized controlled trial of antibiotics for minor respiratory illness in... Background. A systematic review examining the efficacy of antibiotics in acute respiratory illness concluded that antibiotics are of little benefit. However, that review was based on analysis of only six randomized controlled trials, one of which was excluded because its analysis included patients with multiple episodes of illness; treatment group, either antibiotic or placebo, might have confounded the likelihood of suffering a subsequent episode of illness. Methods. This previously excluded randomized controlled trial of 301 patients with symptoms of minor respiratory illness was re-analysed to examine the efficacy of antibiotic versus placebo in terms of resolution of symptoms, most particularly cough. Results. Antibiotic had no impact on the resolution of symptoms of cough at 1 and 2 weeks, respectively; adjusted odds ratio 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–2.1) and 0.8 (95% CI 0.4–1.6). In those 220 (73%) individuals who suffered a cough, 48 (44%) and 19 (17%) of patients taking placebo were still coughing after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. Conclusion. It appears that an antibiotic is likely to have, at best, a marginal impact on resolution of symptoms for most patients with minor respiratory illness in the community. Key words http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Family Practice Oxford University Press

Re-evaluation of a randomized controlled trial of antibiotics for minor respiratory illness in general practice

Tom Fahey, John Howie
Family Practice , Volume 18 (3) – Jun 1, 2001
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References (7)

Publisher
Oxford University Press
Copyright
Copyright © 2015 Oxford University Press
ISSN
0263-2136
eISSN
1460-2229
DOI
10.1093/fampra/18.3.246
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Background. A systematic review examining the efficacy of antibiotics in acute respiratory illness concluded that antibiotics are of little benefit. However, that review was based on analysis of only six randomized controlled trials, one of which was excluded because its analysis included patients with multiple episodes of illness; treatment group, either antibiotic or placebo, might have confounded the likelihood of suffering a subsequent episode of illness. Methods. This previously excluded randomized controlled trial of 301 patients with symptoms of minor respiratory illness was re-analysed to examine the efficacy of antibiotic versus placebo in terms of resolution of symptoms, most particularly cough. Results. Antibiotic had no impact on the resolution of symptoms of cough at 1 and 2 weeks, respectively; adjusted odds ratio 1.2 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.7–2.1) and 0.8 (95% CI 0.4–1.6). In those 220 (73%) individuals who suffered a cough, 48 (44%) and 19 (17%) of patients taking placebo were still coughing after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. Conclusion. It appears that an antibiotic is likely to have, at best, a marginal impact on resolution of symptoms for most patients with minor respiratory illness in the community. Key words

Journal

Family Practice – Oxford University Press

Published: Jun 1, 2001

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