Characteristics of some randomized double-blind studies comparing different antibiotic regimens
| First author [Ref.] | Follow-up | Wash-out* weeks | AECB definition | Bacteriological parameters | Lung function | Other treatment | Cost | |
| Before AECB | Follow-up | |||||||
| Chodosh 53 | 9 months | NR | A+B+C+E | GS | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| Gotfried 54 | 21–28 days | 1 | A+B+C | QC | ND | ND | yes but not studied | ND |
| Georgopoulos 55 | 28–35 days | 4 | 2 of A, B, C, E (±D) | GS | PEFR+FEV1 | PEFR+FEV1 | ND | ND |
| Adler 56 | 12 months | 3 | A+C+D+E | GS | ND | ND | Steroids excluded | ND |
| Zuck 60 | 30–40 days | 1 | C+D | GS+QC | ND | ND | ND | ND |
| Shah 61 | 21–28 days | NR | A+B+C+E | GS | PEFR+FEV1 | ND | ND | ND |
NR: not reported as an inclusion criterion
A: increased dyspnoea
B: increased sputum volume
C: increased sputum purulence
D: fever
E: increase of cough
GS: Gram stain and culture
QC: quantitative culture
ND: not determined
PEER: peak expiratory flow rate
FEV1: forced expiratory volume in one second
*: time without antibiotic before inclusion in study