There is a great need for prompt and effective treatment for patients of chronic bronchitis (CBs) patients in the Middle East, according to a study conducted by an expert panel.

The panel presented for the first time findings from the Middle East Greatest International Antibiotic Trial (Giant) study and compared them with the latest available global data set.

The study, initiated by Bayer Schering Pharma, evaluates the impact of acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis (AECBs) on patients, as well as the efficacy and safety of the antibiotic Avalox®  (moxifloxacin HCl) in the real-world setting, the panel noted.

A total of 46,891 valid patients were documented during the trial, of which 4,350 were from the Middle East region. 

The data clearly showed that the quality of life of Middle East patients suffering from this weakening disease is tremendously affected. 

On average these Middle East patients experienced 2.8 acute exacerbations per year and each time their daily activities were negatively impacted for about four days, said an expert. 

'Moreover, patients suffered from severe sleep disturbances during this debilitating disease phase. Effective antibiotic treatment is needed to minimise the impact of these acute attacks on patients,' explained Professor Antonio Anzueto.

The antibiotic Avalox can help to reduce this burden. Strictly-controlled clinical trials such as Mosaic  have already shown that it provides substantial benefits over standard antibiotics in the treatment of AECB:  Moxifloxacin helped more patients return to their healthy state but also extended the time interval between exacerbations. 

“In the Giant study we wanted to verify if these effects can also be seen in real life,” noted Anzueto.

“We think that the Giant results are very impressive since Middle East patients treated with moxifloxacin suffered, on average, one day less from AECB compared to previous treatment. This is an obvious benefit for the patient,” he pointed out.
 
'When an acute exacerbation starts, glands in the bronchi produce more mucus than usual which results in increased coughing as the body tries to clear it from the lungs, he added. 

In addition to developing a persistent cough, many patients will also experience acute breathlessness resulting in a significant decrease in their quality of life and sleep disturbance.

As well as causing acute symptoms, exacerbations also contribute significantly to the acceleration of the course of the disease over time. Therefore, early diagnosis and effective treatment is needed to successfully manage this disease, Anzueto observed.

The Middle East GIANT data demonstrates that treatment with moxifloxacin resulted in rapid overall improvement.

Given the trend of increased smoking among teenagers in many countries, the prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is normally the underlying condition of chronic bronchitis, is very likely to rise in the Middle East. 

Apart from cigarette smoking, an increased use of other tobacco products, such as the water pipe4, is also occurring.  Accordingly, the likelihood of chronic bronchitis patients experiencing acute exacerbations will rise as will costs to the healthcare system if this trend is not combated, he added.

Anzueto pointed out that like other diseases, the treatment of COPD poses a substantial financial burden on the healthcare system. 

'A considerable proportion of these costs relates to admitting and treating patients in the hospital. In Europe, for example, hospitalisation alone generates an annual cost of 2.9 billion euro and a recent study in Singapore  estimates the cost of a single COPD hospitalisation to be $856,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service