Chronic sinusitis is characterized as the persistent inflammation of the nose and the sinuses behind it. This condition affects around 14% of the American population.
In pursuit to address this health problem, a small study was conducted by the researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. The study included nine people who were told to use a nasal wash, composed of 0.25 milligrams of the corticosteroid budesonide and 5 milliliters of saline, in each nostril once a day for 30 days.
From Health:
The study included nine people who were told to use a nasal wash, composed of 0.25 milligrams of the corticosteroid budesonide and 5 milliliters of saline, in each nostril once a day for 30 days.
The researchers, from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, said it was the first study to examine the safety of this type of nasal wash, noting that suppression of adrenal gland function is a known complication of budesonide.
“The clinical significance of this study is that budesonide nasal respules appear safe for short-term use for the relief of symptoms associated with chronic sinusitis,” the researchers concluded. “Budesonide respules seem to provide an effective treatment option for the patient with chronic rhinosinusitis with minimal fear of systemic adverse effects.”
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has not approved budesonide as a nasal wash, which means the nasal wash used in this study would be an off-label use of the drug. The researchers urged doctors to warn patients about the risks associated with long-term use of budesonide, including decreased bone mineral density.
Although the study was a success, U.S FDA does not approve budesonide as a nasal wash to treat chronic sinusitis. The researchers, however, advised doctors to explain the potential health risks of prolonged use of budesonide which includes low level of bone mineral density.
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