Long-term daily high and low doses of azithromycin in children with cystic fibrosis: a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Long-term administration of azithromycin (AZM) in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) has improved outcomes. However, the doses and schedule of administration are not very well studied in children with CF.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was conducted to compare the effect of two doses of azithromycin (5mg/kg/day and 15mg/kg/day) on FEV(1) and pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis. Enrolled children were randomly allocated to receive daily azithromycin (5mg/kg/day or 15mg/kg/day) for 6months. Clinical assessment and FEV(1) measurement were performed monthly.


RESULTS
56 children (28 in high dose group and 28 in low dose group) were enrolled. 47 (24 and 23 children in low and high dose groups) completed 12months of follow up. There was no difference in clinical scores, FEV(1), pulmonary exacerbation rates between two groups at baseline, 6months and at 12months. Per protocol analysis revealed that pulmonary exacerbation increased after discontinuing AZM and there was significantly more increase after 12months of enrolment in children getting high dose azithromycin. There was no improvement in FEV(1) in either group at the end of treatment period. Children tolerated daily low as well as high dose AZM well for 6months. There was no significant side effect of azithromycin.


CONCLUSIONS
In this randomized controlled trial, we did not find differences in the effect of 2 doses (5mg/kg/day or 15mg/kg/day) of AZM on change in percentage predicted FEV(1), clinical scores, Pseudomonas colonization rates, pulmonary exacerbations and need for antibiotics. There was increase in exacerbations after stopping azithromycin in both the groups. Our results also suggest that the decrease in the incidence of LRTI persists only till 6months after discontinuing azithromycin.
Kabra
S K
SK
Department of Pediatrics and Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi 110029, India. skkabra@hotmail.com <skkabra@hotmail.com>
Pawaiya
R
R
Lodha
Rakesh
R
Kapil
Arti
A
Kabra
Madhulika
M
Vani
A Satya
AS
Agarwal
G
G
Shastri
S S
SS
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001835:Body Weight; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D016209:Interleukin-8 / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa; D013147:Spirometry; D013183:Sputum / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D016209:Interleukin-8; D017963:Azithromycin