PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Muhammad Naeem AU - Khaild Nourain AU - Raja Reddy TI - Effect of long term azithromycin on exacerbations in non CF bronchiectasis DP - 2014 Sep 01 TA - European Respiratory Journal PG - P4695 VI - 44 IP - Suppl 58 4099 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P4695.short 4100 - http://erj.ersjournals.com/content/44/Suppl_58/P4695.full SO - Eur Respir J2014 Sep 01; 44 AB - Introduction:Azithromycin has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties1. Long term azithromycin reduces exacerbations in in patients with non-CF bronchiectasis2. This study determined the effect of long term azithromycin on improvement of symptoms, frequency of exacerbation and hospital admission.Method: We reviewed 41 patients with CT diagnosis of Non CF Bronchiectasis who were started on long term Azithromycin. Five lost to follow up, 5 did not tolerate azithromycin and 3 died.28 patients followed up for one year. Subjective symptom assessment, number of exacerbation and hospital admission recorded at 3, 6 and 12 months from start of azithromycin.Results: Twelve (42.9%) patients were male and 16 (57.1%) were female. Significant reduction in exacerbations was observed after 12 months on Azithromycin (Table 1). 16 (57%) patients described significant subjective improvement in symptoms and 11 (39.3%) patient had some improvement, and 1 (3.3%) patient had worsening in symptoms. No significant change observed in number of hospital admissions.Conclusion:Long term Azithromycin significantly reduces the infective exacerbation of bronchiectasis and improves patient symptoms.View this table:Table 1: Effect of long term Azithromycin on ExacerbationsReferences: 1. McCormack J, Bell S, Senini S et al. Daily versus weekly azithromycin in cystic fibrosis patients. Eur Respir J. 2007; 30(3):487-4952. Wong C, Jayaram L, Karalus N et al. Azithromycin for prevention of exacerbations in non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis (EMBRACE): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2012; 380(9842):660-667.