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2-Day Versus 7-Day Course of Levofloxacin in Acute COPD Exacerbation

Selma Messous, I. Trabelsi, Mohamed Amine Msolli, Adel Sekma, Maha Touati, L. Boukadida, Khaoula Bel Haj Ali, A. Abdelghani et al.

2021

155 participants

Abstract

Introduction: Duration of antibiotic treatment in acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) is most commonly based on expert opinion. Typical administration periods range from 5 to 7 days. A 2-day course with levofloxacin was not previously assessed. We performed a randomized clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of 2-day versus 7-day treatment with levofloxacin in patients with AECOPD.Methods: Patients with AECOPD were randomized to receive levofloxacin for 2 days and 5 days placebo (n=155) or levofloxacin for 7 days (n=155). The primary outcome measure was cure rate, and secondary outcome included need for additional antibiotics, ICU admission, reexacerbation rates and exacerbation free interval (EFI) within one year follow-up. Results: In ITT analysis, cure rate was 79.3% (n=123) and 74.2% (n=115) respectively in 2-day and 7-day groups. In PP analysis, cure rate was 78% (n=92) and 69% (n=82) respectively in 2-day and 7-day groups. The difference between both groups was not significant. The need for additional antibiotics and ICU admission rates were not significantly different between both groups. One-year reexacerbation rate was 34.8% (n=54) in 2-day group versus 29% (n=45) in 7-day group (p=0.19); the EFI was 121 days (interquartile range, 99-149) versus 110 days (interquartile range, 89-132) in 2-day and 7-day treatment groups respectively (p=0.73). No difference in adverse effects was detected.Conclusion: Levofloxacin once daily for 2 days is not inferior to 7 days with…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 155 participants or records.

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