eMedicineLive

Studies have shown that acute rhinosinusitis is the fifth most common condition where physicians prescribe antibiotics. However, it remained doubtful whether these antibiotics actually play a role in treating the condition. A new study published in the Journal of American Medical Association has shown that in most of the cases of acute rhinosinusitis, antibiotics are as good as placebos in treating the disease.

 

For their study, the researchers led by Dr. Jane M. Garbutt, selected 166 adults with uncomplicated acute rhinosinusitis from 10 different centers in Missouri between November 2006 and May 2009. The patients were randomly divided into two groups. While the first group received a 10 day course of Amoxicillin (1500 mg per day in three divided doses), the second group received placebo in similar doses. All the patients were given medicines for relief from symptomatic features like pain, fever, cough and nasal congestion. The patients were inquired about disease specific quality of life telephonically on days 3, 7, 10 and 28. Patients were asked to rate their symptoms on a scale called as sino- nasal outcome test- 16 (SNOT- 16). The rating on the scale is from 0 to 3 wherein 0 stands for no problem and 3 stands for severe problem.

 

The researchers noted that the patients on antibiotic rated their symptoms at 1.12 on day three whereas the placebo group rated their symptoms at 1.14. By 10th day, there was no significant difference between the ratings of patients on antibiotic and on placebo. Both the groups were equally satisfied with their treatment. The number of days missed at work was also similar.

 

Based on the results of the above study, the researchers have opined that there is no point in administering antibiotics to patients suffering from uncomplicated acute rhino-sinusitis. Only 2% of the cases of sinusitis are bacterial in origin while the remaining cases are viral in origin. Prescribing antibiotics in cases of viral origin is not going to solve any purpose. On the contrary, it only serves to increase antibiotic resistance in the patients. The best policy in case of acute sinusitis is to wait and watch. The patient usually suffers from nasal congestion and pain in the sinuses which can be effectively tackled by over the counter pain-killers.

 

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