title: [Comparative analysis of the effectiveness and costs of azithromycin and cefoperazone treatment of patients during COPD exacerbation].
abstract: The effectiveness and costs of azithromycin and cefoperazone treatment of COPD exacerbation have been analysed in this study. Forty patients at the mean age of 65.9 (+/- 11.5) years were enrolled. The subjects were randomly selected and treated either with cefoperazone 2 x 1.0 g i.v. daily (group I = 20 persons) or with azithromycin 1 x 0.5 g (group II = 20 persons), in sequential method. Body temperature, cough intensity, quality and quantity of expectorated sputum, number of breaths per minute and adverse events were recorded daily. The values of pulmonary function tests and leucocytosis were assessed three times during the study. Statistically significant differences between both groups have been found with respect to the mean time of staying in hospital (9.1 days--group I vs 6.1 days--group II), mean total duration of antibiotic therapy (10.1 days--group I vs. 6.6 days--group II) and duration of intravenous antibiotic therapy only [7.5 days (group I) vs 2.9 days (group II)] (p < 0.05). Taking into account the duration of hospitalization, it was shown that the mean total costs of treatment of COPD exacerbation with azithromycin was significantly lower than that of treatment with cefoperazone (2375.9 PLN and 1663.7 PLN, respectively) (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The effectiveness of treatment with azithromycin in patients with COPD exacerbation was evident. The total costs of treatment of COPD exacerbation with azithromycin is lower than with cefoperazone. Both azithromycin and cefoperazone are safe in the treatment of exacerbation of COPD.
authors.affiliation: Klinika Chorób Wewnetrznych Pneumonologii i Alergologii, Centralnego Szpitala Klinicznego WAM w Warszawie.
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faber
authors.forename: Karina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jahnz-Rózyk
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Targowski
authors.forename: Beata
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mamełka
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D002438:Cefoperazone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016527:Drug Costs; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D002438:Cefoperazone; D017963:Azithromycin
vernacular_title: Analiza porównawcza skuteczności i kosztów leczenia azytromycyna i cefoperazonem w okresie zaostrzenia przewlekłej obturacyjnej choroby płuc.