C-reactive Protein (CRP)-Guided Management Algorithm for Adults With Acute Cough (NCT00221351) | Clinical Trial Compass
CompletedNot Applicable
C-reactive Protein (CRP)-Guided Management Algorithm for Adults With Acute Cough
United States139 participantsStarted 2005-10
Plain-language summary
We aim to evaluate the impact of a CRP-guided management algorithm for adults with acute cough illness. More specifically, we will examine both process of care and clinical outcomes:
1. Processes of care (i.e., chest x-rays ordered, antibiotic treatment, length-of-time in the ED). We hypothesize that CRP-guided management will be associated with a decrease in the antibiotic prescription for acute cough illness from 50 percent to 30 percent.
2. Clinical outcomes (i.e., duration of illness, any return visit, return visit with a diagnosis of pneumonia, hospitalization, subsequent antibiotic use, satisfaction with care). We hypothesize that there will be no difference in the proportion of patients feeling back to normal within 2 weeks of their ED visit for acute cough illness (about 60 percent, 95% confidence interval=50 to 70 percent).
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* Adults (age \> 18 years) seeking care for an acute respiratory illness (duration \< 10 days) in which cough is a chief complaint.
* Eligible patients will be required to have at least 1 symptom of acute respiratory tract infection (fever, night sweats, rhinorrhea, sinus congestion, myalgias).
Exclusion Criteria:
* Previous (within 21 days) antibiotic treatment;
* immunodeficiency;
* cystic fibrosis;
* patient requiring immediate evaluation/management;
* inability to provide informed consent.
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Chest X-ray utilization, Antibiotic treatment, Time in emergency department, Subsequent office or emergency department visits (within 2 weeks; Subsequent hospitalization, Time-to-illness resolution