Bayer Pharmaceuticals Corporation publishes study conducted by Psyma Medical
Study Shows Patients Treated With Avelox (Moxifloxacin HCI) Recovered Faster From Flare-Ups Of Chron
ORLANDO, Fla., May 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)* patients with acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECB) who took the antibiotic Avelox(R) (moxifloxacin HCl) for five days experienced significantly faster recovery compared to patients who took Biaxin(R)(clarithromycin) or Augmentin(R) (amoxicillin/clavulanate) for 10 days. This was the principal finding of a study presented today at the 100th International Conference of the American Thoracic Society (ATS).
The study, conducted in the offices of primary care physicians, found that 70% of patients who took Avelox saw their symptoms resolve within five days or less compared to patients who took Biaxin (50%) or Augmentin (44%), two of the antibiotics commonly prescribed to treat these exacerbations, for 10 days.
Speed of symptom relief is the primary concern for people who suffer from exacerbations of chronic bronchitis. A recent international survey of more than 1,100 chronic bronchitis patients found that more than half (55%) identified faster symptom relief as their primary treatment need. More than half of patients reported that their AECB symptoms forced them to give up enjoyable activities or disrupted their sleep.(1)
"This study shows that Avelox is associated with a more rapid remission of symptoms compared with some commonly used antibiotics. This is consistent with previous studies. Avelox has also been shown to have excellent bacterial eradication rates," said Dr. Marc Miravitlles, lead study author, chest physician and senior researcher in the department of Pneumology at the Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain. "The combination of these factors may be a great benefit for patients."
Many COPD patients have some element of chronic bronchitis, which is characterized by persistent cough, for a minimum of three months per year, for two consecutive years.(2) AECB occurs when bacteria that are already in the bronchial tubes multiply and cause increased shortness of breath, mucus production, and coughing.(3) Clinical experience has shown chronic bronchitis patients experience approximately three exacerbations per year,(4) and that 50%-70% of these exacerbations are caused by bacterial infections.(5) In fact, respiratory tract infections (RTIs) such as bronchitis, sinusitis and pneumonia, are the most frequent cause of visits to physicians in the United States, compared to common conditions such as hypertension, gastrointestinal disorders and diabetes.(6)
"Primary care physicians are on the front lines of treating RTIs, and our first priority is diagnosing patients properly and providing them with treatment that will allow them to feel better and resume normal activities, such as work, as quickly as possible," said Shari Fine, D.O., Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UMDNJ, Jersey City, NJ. "Since so many exacerbations are caused by bacteria, it is important for primary care physicians to know that an antibiotic such as Avelox, which is fast-acting and effective for symptom relief and bacterial eradication, is available for the appropriate RTI patients."
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*Biaxin is a
registered trademark of Abbott Laboratories **Augmentin is a registered
trademark of GlaxoSmithKline (1) International telephone survey,
conducted by Psyma International Medical Marketing Research. Bayer AG
sponsored this survey to assess patient conditions independently of
physicians. (2) American Lung Association. Chronic Bronchitis: What is
Chronic Bronchitis? Available at
www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35019. Accessed May 4,
2004. (3) American Lung Association. Chronic Bronchitis: What Causes
Chronic Bronchitis? Available at
www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=35019. Accessed May 4,
2004. (4) Niederman, M. The Role of Quionlones in the Treatment of
Chronic Bronchitis. Infect Med 16(sA):5-7, 1999 (5) Miravitlles, M.
Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations.
Clin Pulm Med 2002; 9:191-7. (6) National Disease Therapeutic Index
(IMS America, Ltd.) Bayer HealthCare
Source and further information: http://www.biospace.com/news_story.cfmStoryID=16289620&full=1
