Five-year winter chemoprophylaxis for chronic bronchitis

Seventy-nine patients with chronic bronchitis were randomly allotted to four treatment regimens—placebo throughout the winter months for five years; tetracycline for the first two winters and placebo for the next three; placebo for the first two winters and tetracycline for the next three; and tetracycline for five winters. In addition all groups recevied a five-day course of tetracycline for any acute exacerbation. There was a significant reduction in the number of exacerbations among the more susceptible patients—that is, those who suffered more than one exacerbation each winter. Though the average decline in F.E.V. 1 over the five-year period was less in the treated groups this was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference between the groups in respect of lung volumes, diffusing capacity, and blood gases.