of chronic bronchitis (81.8% versus

of chronic bronchitis (81.8% versus 91.3%, NNT 11 [range 8 to 16], moderate qualityevidence).Similar results were observed in a subgroup who received treatment in the community withfirst-line and second-line antibiotics respectively (90.3% versus 95.5%, moderate qualityevidence), although most people in both groups had resolving or improving exacerbationsymptoms up to 7 days after the end of treatment. In people receiving treatment in hospital,there was no significant difference between first-line and second-line antibiotics (74.0% versus87.5%, low quality evidence), but some studies also included people receiving treatment in thecommunity.Dimopoulos et al. (2007) included 4 RCTs in people receiving treatment in the community and6 RCTs in people receiving treatment in hospital (4 of these RCTs had a mixed population whoreceived treatment in the community or in hospital).The diagnosis of an acute exacerbation and the type of symptoms was based on theAnthonisen classification. The severity of exacerbation varied across studies and was notspecified in 2 RCTs.Dosage varied by antibiotic and the course length ranged from 5 to 14 days. Corticosteroidtreatment was permitted before an acute exacerbation in 3 RCTs.There were no significant differences between groups in antibiotic-related adverse events(14.6% versus 20.6%, very low quality evidence) or in all-cause mortality (1.0% versus 1.6%,low quality evidence).Other antibiotic compari