RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Azithromycin for sarcoidosis cough: an open-label exploratory clinical trial
JF ERJ Open Research
JO erjor
FD European Respiratory Society
SP 00534-2020
DO 10.1183/23120541.00534-2020
VO 6
IS 4
A1 Simon D. Fraser
A1 Susannah Thackray-Nocera
A1 Marica Shepherd
A1 Rachel Flockton
A1 Caroline Wright
A1 Wayne Sheedy
A1 Kayleigh Brindle
A1 Alyn H. Morice
A1 Paul M. Kaye
A1 Michael G. Crooks
A1 Simon P. Hart
YR 2020
UL http://openres.ersjournals.com/content/6/4/00534-2020.abstract
AB Background Chronic cough is a distressing symptom for many people with pulmonary sarcoidosis. Continuous treatment with a macrolide antibiotic may improve cough. We aimed to assess the potential efficacy of azithromycin in patients with sarcoidosis and self-reported cough.Methods We conducted a noncontrolled, open-label clinical trial of azithromycin 250 mg once daily for 3 months in patients with pulmonary sarcoidosis who reported a chronic cough. The primary outcome was number of coughs in 24 h. Secondary outcomes were cough visual analogue scales and quality of life measured using the Leicester Cough Questionnaire and King's Sarcoidosis Questionnaire. Safety outcomes included QTc interval on ECG. Measurements were made at baseline and after 1 and 3 months of treatment.Results All 21 patients were white, median age 57 years, 9 males, 12 females, median 3 years since diagnosis. Five were taking oral corticosteroids and none were taking other immunosuppressants. Twenty patients completed the trial. The median (range) number of coughs in 24 h was 228 (43–1950) at baseline, 122 (20–704) at 1 month, and 81 (16–414) at 3 months (p=0.002, Friedman's test). The median reduction in cough count at 3 months was 49.6%. There were improvements in all patient-reported outcomes. Azithromycin was well tolerated.Conclusion In a noncontrolled open-label trial in people with sarcoidosis who reported a chronic cough, 3 months of treatment with azithromycin led to improvements in a range of cough metrics. Azithromycin should be tested as a treatment for sarcoidosis cough in a randomised placebo-controlled trial.In a noncontrolled open-label trial in people with sarcoidosis who reported a chronic cough, 3 months of treatment with azithromycin led to improvements in a range of cough metrics https://bit.ly/2FB5tfq