Title

Systemic Methylprednisolone in Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Efficacy and Tolerability of Systemic Methylprednisolone in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Rhinosinusitis
  • Phase

    Phase 4
  • Study Type

    Interventional
  • Status

    Completed No Results Posted
  • Study Participants

    48
The place of systemic corticosteroids in the treatment of children with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) remains unclear. We aimed to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of oral methylprednisolone (MP) as an anti-inflammatory adjunct in the treatment of CRS in children.Forty-eight children (age 6-17 years) with clinically and radiologically proven CRS were included. Patients were randomly assigned to either oral amoxicillin/clavulanate (AMX/C) and MP or AMX/C and placebo (P) twice daily for 30 days. Oral MP was administered for the first 15 days with a tapering schedule. Primary parameters were mean change in symptom and sinus computed tomography (CT) scan scores after treatment. Secondary study parameters were mean changes in individual symptom scores after treatment, relapse rate and tolerability. Forty-five patients completed the study, 22 received AMX/C and MP, and 23 AMX/C and P. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements in symptom and sinus CT scores, comparing baseline to end of the treatment (p<0.001). Methylprednisolone as an adjunct was significantly more effective than placebo in reducing CT scores (p=0.004), total rhinosinusitis symptoms (p=0.001) and individual symptoms of nasal obstruction (p=0.001), postnasal discharge (p=0.007), and cough (p=0.009). At the end of the treatment, 48% of the children in the P group still had abnormal findings in CT versus 14% in the MP group (p = 0.013). Therapy-related adverse events were not different between groups. Although insignificant, the incidence of clinical relapses was also less in the MP group (25%) compared to P group (43%) (p = 0.137). Oral MP is well tolerated and provides added benefit to treatment with antibiotics for children with CRS.
Study Started
Jul 31
2007
Primary Completion
Sep 30
2009
Study Completion
Apr 30
2010
Last Update
Sep 21
2010
Estimate

Drug methylprednisolone

Patients enrolled in the study were given either oral amoxicillin/clavulanate (AMX/C) or metylprednisolone (MP) (group MP) or AMX/C and placebo (group P) twice daily using a random allocation chart based on a table of random numbers. Oral AMX/C was administered 45/6.4 mg/kg/d (maximum 2000/285 mg/d) for 30 days for both groups. Oral MP was administered for the first 15 days: 1 mg/kg/d (maximum 40 mg/d) for 10 days, 0.75 mg/kg/d for 2 days, 0.5 mg/kg/d for 2 days, and 0.25 mg/kg/d for 1 day. Placebo tablets contained lactose and were of same size and color as MP tablets.

  • Other names: Prednol tablet, Augmentin suspension/tablet

oral methylprednisolone Active Comparator

placebo Placebo Comparator

Criteria

Inclusion Criteria:All patients presented with nasal and/or postnasal purulence, and one or more of the following symptoms: nasal obstruction, cough, halitosis, headache, or facial pain/pressure. The diagnosis of CRS was made on the basis of sinonasal symptoms and signs present for a period of more than 3 months in the presence of abnormalities on coronal sinus CT scans.

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Exclusion Criteria:Patients were excluded if they had used systemic corticosteroids in the last 2 months prior to the study, systemic antibiotics and inhaler or intranasal corticosteroids in the last 4 weeks prior to the study or if they had other respiratory disorders (cystic fibrosis, ciliary dyskinesia, nasal polyps, large adenoids, asthma), immune deficiency, systemic disease, gastro-esophageal reflux, aspirin sensitivity, and acquired or congenital sinonasal abnormalities, or a contraindication to corticosteroid use.

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No Results Posted