[Sparse effect of long-term treatment with macrolides in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Macrolides have been proposed to have a positive effect in patients with inflammatory lung diseases, including patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), who suffer from acute exacerbations. Increased use of macrolides for long-term treatment of patients with COPD has been observed. The evidence of a treatment effect of macrolides in this area is sparse, but some studies suggest that it might be beneficial on the number of exacerbations and the length between them. At present there is not sufficient evidence to issue a general recommendation for prescribing macrolides for the long-term treatment of COPD.