Characterisation of exacerbations of chronic bronchitis and COPD in Europe: the GIANT study.
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.
Miravitlles
Marc
M
Servei de Pneumologia Institut Clínic del Tòrax Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain. MARCM@clinic.ub.es
Anzueto
Antonio
A
Ewig
Santiago
S
Legnani
Delfino
D
Stauch
Kathrin
K
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001372:Aza Compounds / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D029481:Bronchitis, Chronic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000077266:Moxifloxacin; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011804:Quinolines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D013147:Spirometry; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D001372:Aza Compounds; D024841:Fluoroquinolones; D011804:Quinolines; D000077266:Moxifloxacin