Efficacy and safety of long-term inhaled antibiotic for patients with noncystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: a meta-analysis

Background and aims: The evidence supported the use of nebulized antibiotics in non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF) bronchiectasis is indefinite. A meta-analysis was performed to determine the efficacy and safety of long-term inhaled antibiotics for patients with non-CF bronchiectasis.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched up to March 20, 2014. Reduction of sputum bacterial density, eradication of sputum Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the risk of exacerbations and other clinical outcomes related to inhalation treatment were analyzed.

Results: Three hundred seventy articles were searched. Eight randomized controlled trials recruiting 539 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Long-term inhaled antibiotics showed an obvious reduction of the sputum bacterial density [weighted mean difference = 2.85, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.6-4.09, P < 0.00001] and augment eradication of sputum P. aeruginosa [odds ratio (OR) = 6.6, 95% CI: 2.93-14.86, P < 0.00001]. No evidences showed higher risk of P. aeruginosa resistance after inhaled therapy. In addition, nebulized therapy reduced the amount of patients with exacerbation (OR = 0.46, 95% CI: 0.21-1.00, P = 0.05). However, patients with inhaled antibiotics were more likely to suffer wheeze (OR = 6.74, 95% CI: 2.22-20.52, P = 0.0008) and bronchospasm (OR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.11-7.25, P = 0.03).

Conclusion: For patients with non-CF bronchiectasis, long-term inhaled antibiotics can effectively reduce the sputum bacterial density, increase P.A eradication and attenuate the risk of exacerbation, however, accompanied with higher risk of wheeze and bronchospasm.