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Verbal advice plus an information leaflet reduced antibiotic use in patients presenting with acute bronchitis

https://doi.org/10.1136/ebn.5.3.79

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    Macfarlane J, Holmes W, Gard P, et al.Reducing antibiotic use for acute bronchitis in primary care: blinded, randomised controlled trial of patient information leaflet.BMJ2002 Jan 12;324:91–4OpenUrlAbstract/FREE Full Text

    QUESTION: In patients presenting with acute bronchitis, does verbal advice plus an information leaflet describing the uncertain value of antibiotics for this condition reduce antibiotic use more than verbal advice alone?

    Design

    Randomised (unclear allocation concealment), blinded (clinicians and data collectors) controlled trial with 4 weeks of follow up.

    Setting

    3 general practices in Nottingham, UK.

    Patients

    259 consecutive adults ≥16 years of age presenting with acute bronchitis, defined as a new acute lower respiratory tract illness (ie, illness for ≤21 d; main symptom of cough; ≥1 symptom of sputum production, dyspnoea, wheeze, or chest discomfort or pain; and no alternative explanation), who were not under medical supervision for an underlying disease such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, heart disease, or …

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    Footnotes

    • Source of funding: British Lung Foundation.

    • For correspondence: Dr J Macfarlane, Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham, UK. john.macfarlane{at}tinyworld.co.uk

    • A modified version of this abstract appears in Evidence-Based Medicine.