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Penicillin V did not shorten symptoms in children with sore throat

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Q In children 4–15 years of age with a sore throat, is penicillin V (PCV) for 3 (PCV3) or 7 (PCV7) days more effective than placebo for reducing the duration of symptoms (DOS)?

Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★☆☆ Paediatrics ★★★★★☆☆

METHODS

Embedded ImageDesign:

randomised placebo controlled trial.

Embedded ImageAllocation:

concealed.*

Embedded ImageBlinding:

blinded (patients and healthcare providers).*

Embedded ImageFollow up period:

7 days.

Embedded ImageSetting:

43 family practices in the Netherlands.

Embedded ImagePatients:

156 children 4–15 years of age (mean age 10 y, 50% boys) who had a sore throat for <7 days and ⩾2 of 4 Centor criteria (history of fever, absence of cough, swollen tender anterior cervical lymph nodes, and tonsillar exudates). Exclusion criteria: imminent quinsy, scarlet fever, requirement of antibiotics, and intolerance to penicillin. 62% had a positive culture for group A streptococci (GAS).

Embedded ImageIntervention:

PCV7 (n  =  46), PCV3 (n  =  54), or placebo for 7 days (n  =  56). The dosage was one 250 mg capsule …

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Footnotes

Footnotes

  • * See glossary. http://ebm.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/9/4/128

  • For correspondence: Dr S Zwart, Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, Utrecht, The Netherlands. S.Zwart{at}med.uu.nl

  • Sources of funding: Groene Land Achmea Health Insurances and Stichting Gezondheidszorgonderzoek Ysselmond.