Characterisation of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and COPD in Europe: the GIANT study.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The GIANT study collected information on patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the effect of treatment with moxifloxacin.

METHODS:

AECB history, concomitant diseases, moxifloxacin treatment, concomitant medication, clinical symptoms and adverse events were recorded. A questionnaire at the end of treatment recorded the impact on patients' daily lives.

RESULTS:

Among 9225 patients from eight European countries, marked variation was seen in characteristics including age, smoking history and type of exacerbation. Spirometry use was more common among chest physicians (66.7%) than GPs (15.5%). Patients with Anthonisen type 1 and 2 exacerbations had more frequent exacerbations and these patients experienced a greater impact on daily activities compared with patients with type 3 episodes. Patient symptoms improved with moxifloxacin treatment after a mean (SD) of 3.4 (1.8) days, allowing return to normal daily activities after 5.4 (4.4) days and with full recovery taking 6.5 (3.1) days.

CONCLUSIONS:

Characteristics of patients with AECB and acute exacerbations of COPD differ among European countries. Spirometry is under-used, particularly in primary care and antibiotic treatment does not always follow current guidelines. Results confirm the efficacy of moxifloxacin in the treatment of AECB in real-life conditions.

• Authors: Marc Miravitlles, Antonio Anzueto, Santiago Ewig, Delfino Legnani, Kathrin Stauch
• Journal: Therapeutic advances in respiratory disease (Ther Adv Respir Dis) Vol. 3 Issue 6 Pg. 267-77 (Dec 2009) ISSN: 1753-4666 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 19880426 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Multicenter Study, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Infective Agents
• Aza Compounds
• Fluoroquinolones
• Quinolines
• Moxifloxacin

Topics

• Activities of Daily Living
• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Infective Agents (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Aza Compounds (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Bronchitis, Chronic (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Europe
• Female
• Fluoroquinolones
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Moxifloxacin
• Practice Guidelines as Topic
• Practice Patterns, Physicians'
• Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Quinolines (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Smoking (adverse effects)
• Spirometry
• Surveys and Questionnaires