04 Jun Hospitalized Pneumonia Patients May Benefit from Azithromycin
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Eric M. Mortensen, M.D., M.Sc.
VA North Texas Health Care System and
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
MedicalResearch: What are the main findings of the study?
Dr. Mortensen: The main findings of our study was that for older patients hospitalized with pneumonia that with the use of azithromycin although there is a small increase in the number of non-fatal heart attacks there was a much lower decrease in mortality. In addition there were no other significant increases in cardiac events. So the overall risk:benefit ratio was that for each non-fatal heart attack there were 7 deaths that were prevented.
MedicalResearch: Were any of the findings unexpected?
Dr. Mortensen: We were surprised that there was a increase number of heart attacks but still mortality was lower for those who received azithromycin
MedicalResearch: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Mortensen: That for patients hospitalized with pneumonia azithromycin should be part of the preferred therapy. Also that for patients who don’t really need antibiotics they should avoid azithromycin due to the increased risk of heart attacks.
MedicalResearch: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Mortensen: Future research is needed to examine why azithromycin therapy is associated with this improved survival.
Citation:
JAMA. 2014;311(21):2199-2208. doi:10.1001/jama.2014.4304
Last Updated on April 10, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD