[Treatment effects of co-amoxiclav (Amoxiclav 2x) in acute exacerbation of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: clinical evaluation]

Abstract

Introduction: The exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is most often induced by an infection of bacterial origin in over 50% of the cases (or mixed bacterial and viral infection). This study was aimed at evaluating clinical effects of antibiotics co-amoxiclav. Amoxiicillin with clavulanic acid in the treatment of patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation.

Material and methods: The investigation included 38 patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation hospitalized at the Institute for Pulmonary Diseases of Vojvodina, Sremska Kamenica. The patients were randomly selected for the antibiotic treatment with Amoxiclav twice a day in 12 hour intervals. The clinical effects of the applied treatment were evaluated by analyzing certain laboratory findings, microbiological sputum findings and improvement of subjective symptoms.

Results: Of the examined subjects, 65% were males and 35% were females, their mean age being 66.4 +/- 8.86, and who were mostly smokers (73%). After the completion Of Applied antibiotic treatment, a significant reduction and normalization of all inflammation markers were recorded, as well as a significant improvement of the patients' subjective symptoms. The positive microbiological sputum findings (Haemophilus influenzae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Streptococcus pneumoniae) were recorded in 13.58% of the patients. The bacterial agent was eradicated on the third day of the applied treatment. The mean length of the treatment was 7.07 +/- 0.91 days, with no undesirable treatment side effects observed CONCLUSION The antibiotic therapy is justifiable as the initial treatment regimen of severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbation and amoxicillin with clavulanic acid is reported as the first-line antibiotic drug in most pharmacotherapy guidelines.