Table 2.
Small number of enrolled patients limits study power |
Enrollment of patients with mild COPD or normal lung function with high rates of recovery diminishes perceived efficacy of antibiotics |
No assessment of speed of recovery |
Use of end points 3 weeks post treatment when spontaneous recovery may have occurred |
Lack of long-term follow up and therefore no assessment of time to next exacerbation |
No evaluation of concurrent medication likely to affect clinical outcome, allowing potential bias |