Short course of systemic corticosteroids in sinonasal polyposis: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial with evaluation of outcome measures.
BACKGROUND
Topical and systemic corticosteroids are the first choice in medical treatments for sinonasal polyposis, but surprisingly, there is no high-level evidence for the efficacy of oral corticosteroids.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to establish the efficacy of a short course of oral prednisolone in ameliorating the symptoms of sinonasal polyposis, as well as reducing mucosal inflammation assessed by means of nasendoscopy and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A secondary aim was to evaluate the relationship between outcome measures.


METHODS
Subjects with symptomatic endoscopically diagnosed sinonasal polyposis received 50 mg of prednisolone daily for 14 days or placebo. Outcome was quantified by using the modified 31-item Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure questionnaire, physician's assessment, nasendoscopy with photography, and MRI.


RESULTS
There were 20 subjects in each treatment group. Only the prednisolone-treated group showed significant improvement in nasal symptoms (P < .001). The Rhinosinusitis Outcome Measure score improved in both groups, but the prednisolone-treated group had significantly greater improvement than the placebo group (P < .001). Objectively, there was significant reduction in polyp size, as noted with nasendoscopy (P < .001) and MRI (P < .001), only in the prednisolone-treated group. The outcome measures correlated with each other; the highest level of correlation was between the objective measures of nasendoscopy and MRI (R(2) = 0.76, P < .001). There were no significant adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
This trial clearly establishes clinically significant improvement in the symptoms and pathology of sinonasal polyposis with a short course of systemic corticosteroids. MRI scanning and quantitative nasendoscopic photography are objective and valid tools for assessing the outcome of treatment in this condition.


CONCLUSIONS
A 14-day course of 50 mg of prednisolone is safe and effective therapy for symptomatic nasal polyposis.
Hissaria
Pravin
P
Department of Human Immunology, Institute of Medical and Veterinary Sciences, Royal Adelaide Hospital, North Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia 5000.
Smith
William
W
Wormald
Peter J
PJ
Taylor
James
J
Vadas
Mathew
M
Gillis
David
D
Kette
Frank
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011239:Prednisolone