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QUESTION: In patients presenting with acute bronchitis, does verbal advice plus an information leaflet describing the uncertain value of antibiotics reduce antibiotic use more than verbal advice alone?
Design
Randomised (unclear allocation concealment*), blinded (clinicians and data collectors),* controlled trial with 4 weeks of follow up.
Setting
3 general practices in Nottingham, UK.
Patients
259 patients ≥ 16 years of age who had acute bronchitis (ie, illness for ≤ 21 d; main symptom of cough; ≥ 1 of sputum production, dyspnoea, wheeze, or chest discomfort or pain; and no alternative explanation) and were not receiving medical attention for an underlying disease, such as asthma, heart disease, or diabetes. 47 patients were judged to need antibiotics immediately. 212 …