title: [National consensus regarding azithromycin use in cystic fibrosis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To propose a formalized consensus agreement regarding the prescription of azithromycin in cystic fibrosis (CF).
  
  
  METHODS
  Application of the Delphi method in 5 thematic fields: indications, contra-indications, dosage, precautions for use and treatment follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty identified French CF centers participated in the process on 49 (61%), which comprised 3 rounds. Experts validated azithromycin as a long-term anti-inflammatory agent in children aged over 6 years, presenting with the classical form of CF, irrespective of the bacteriological status of the patient (except for non-tuberculous mycobacteria). Azithromycin administration should not be routine in the milder forms of the disease, and avoided in the presence of severe hepatic or renal involvement. In children whose weight is below 40 kg, a strong consensus recommended a single daily oral dose, administered three times weekly. However, in adults, the level of agreement was weaker. Minimal duration of treatment is 6 months, after which the drug should be discontinued if no observable effect is noted on clinical parameters, exacerbation rate and/or FEV1. Clinical monitoring of treatment tolerance is recommended (nausea, diarrhea, skin rash, tinnitus, deafness, arthropathy), without increasing the frequency of surveillance of sputum bacteria. However, it is essential to monitor sputum for fungi (expectoration, Aspergillus, broncho-pulmonary allergic aspergillosis).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This consensus statement defines an area for the prescription of azithromycin in CF, with the aim of better harmonization of its use.
authors.affiliation: Service de pédiatrie A, American Memorial Hospital, CHU de Reims, 47, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092 Reims cedex, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abely
authors.affiliation: Centre de ressources et de compétence pour la mucoviscidose pédiatrique, CHU de Lyon, 59, boulevard Pinel, 69677 Bron cedex, France.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Jubin
authors.affiliation: Service de pédiatrie A, American Memorial Hospital, CHU de Reims, 47, rue Cognacq-Jay, 51092 Reims cedex, France.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bessaci-Kabouya
authors.affiliation: Centre de ressources et de compétence pour la mucoviscidose mixte, hôpital Arnaud-de-Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, 34295 Montpellier cedex 5, France.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chiron
authors.affiliation: Département de pédiatrie, centre de ressources et de compétence pour la mucoviscidose pédiatrique, centre d'investigation clinique, hôpital Pellegrin-Enfants, CHU de Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bui
authors.affiliation: Département de pédiatrie, centre de ressources et de compétence pour la mucoviscidose pédiatrique, centre d'investigation clinique, hôpital Pellegrin-Enfants, CHU de Bordeaux, place Amélie-Raba-Léon, 33076 Bordeaux cedex, France. Electronic address: michael.fayon@chu-bordeaux.fr.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fayon
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017963:Azithromycin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D032921:Consensus; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017963:Azithromycin
keywords: Azithromycin; Azithromycine; Consensus; Cystic fibrosis; Delphi; Inflammation; Mucoviscidose