Search
Bronchitis Randomized on NAC Cost-Utility Study (BRONCUS)
Design:
- 532 patients with COPD (chronic bronchitis)
- mean age 62, 79% men
- average 2.5 exacerbations/year
Patients continued using standard COPD therapy
- 70% used inhaled glucocorticoids, beta-2 adrenergic agonists or both
N-acetylcysteine 600 mg/day vs placebo
3 years duration
Results:
- after 3 years, no differences in # of exacerbations FEV1 vital capacity quality of life adverse effects related to treatment
A subgroup who did not use inhaled glucocorticoids showed significant reduction in exacerbation with N-acetylcysteine & nearly significant reduction in FEV1 decline compared with placebo.
Related
acetylcysteine (Mucomyst, Mucosol, Acetadote)
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
General
clinical trial
References
- Journal Watch 25(13):101, 2005
Decramer M, Rutten-van Molken M, Dekhuijzen PN, Troosters T,
van Herwaarden C, Pellegrino R, van Schayck CP, Olivieri D,
Del Donno M, De Backer W, Lankhorst I, Ardia A.
Effects of N-acetylcysteine on outcomes in chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (Bronchitis Randomized on NAC Cost-Utility
Study, BRONCUS): a randomised placebo-controlled trial.
Lancet. 2005 Apr 30;365(9470):1552-60.
PMID: 15866309