EFFICACY OF NORMAL SALINE NASAL SPRAY ADDED TO STANDARD TREATMENT REGIMEN OF CHRONIC RHINOSINUSITIS: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL

Abstract

Background and Objective: Chronic Rhinosinusitis is characterized by inflammation of the lining of nose and paranasal sinuses leading to nasal blockage/discharge, facial pressure/pain and loss of smell sensation. It is one of the most common chronic health problems globally.

Its impact on health and quality of life of the individual is constantly increasing both in developing and developed countries. However, the easily accessible and affordable intervention in early stages results in considerable improvement of symptoms. The aim of medical treatment is to reduce inflammation, reduce bacterial load and optimize ciliary function by removing

mucus. Hence one of the approaches that is followed in conservative management includes a combination therapy with intranasal corticosteroids and empirical antibiotics, which aim at targeting intrinsic mucosal inflammation and reducing microbial load, respectively. Saline irrigation is useful in improvement of mucociliary clearance by the removal of mucus, infected crusts and pro-inflammatory agents. No recent studies have been done that evaluate the role of Normal Saline separately. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy of adding normal saline nasal spray to standard treatment regimen of chronic rhinosinusitis.