The use of intermittant dose azithromycin in children with sinusitis; [Çocukluk çaǧinda akut si̇nüzi̇t tedavi̇si̇nde i̇ntermi̇ttant doz azi̇tromi̇si̇n kullanimi]
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Date
2001
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Abstract
Aim: Antibiotic selection and the duration of its use are two of the most important factors that affect the prognosis of children with sinusitis. New effective antibiotherapy strategies with higher dose and short usage interval in children with sinusitis are needed because compliance to drug usage is difficult in childhood. In this study we aimed to compare 'single dose intermittent usage' of azithromycin (AZT) therapy and 'two doses per day for 15 days usage' of amoxisilin-clavunate (AMK) in the treatment of children with acute maxillary sinusitis. Material and Method: Sixty-one children diagnosed as having maxillary sinusitis (between 5 and 14 years old) were enrolled into study. Twenty-nine children were treated using single daily dose of AZT for five days. After a treatment- free period for 5 days, the drug was readministered for five days. Thirty-two children were treated using two doses of AMK for fifteen days. Clinical signs, symptom scores of sinusitis and compliance to the therapy were followed up for two weeks. Results: At the end of the first week, the mean symptom score of the AZT group was significantly lower than that of the AMK group (p<0.05). Although it was lower in AZT group, the symptom scores at the end of the second week were not significantly different between the two groups. Recovery rate from sinusitis was 93% in the AZT and 91% in the AMK group. Seven percent of the AZT group patients failed to use the total recommended dose and also 3% stopped the therapy earlier. In the AMK group, these were 24% and 15% respectively, and the difference between two groups was statistically significant (p<0.05). Satisfaction from using the drug was significantly higher in the AZT group than the AMK group. Conclusion: The therapy regimen with a single dose - intermittant usage of AZT for five days is as effective as two doses of AMK therapy for fifteen days. Furthermore, it was shown that intermittant dose AZT reduced symptom scores of sinusitis earlier. Thus, an intermittant dose of AZT recommendation may be a new, more compliant and effective therapy regiment in the treatment of children with sinusitis.