Efficacy of isotonic nasal wash (seawater) in the treatment and prevention of rhinitis in children.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential of nasal isotonic saline application to prevent reappearance of cold and flu in children during the winter.


METHODS
Prospective, multicenter, parallel-group, open, and randomized comparison.


METHODS
Eight pediatric outpatient clinics.


METHODS
A total of 401 children (aged 6-10 years) with uncomplicated cold or flu.


METHODS
We randomly assigned patients to 2 treatment groups, one with just standard medication, the other with nasal wash with a modified seawater solution (Physiomer) plus standard medication, and observed them for 12 weeks.


METHODS
The primary efficacy end points were nasal symptoms resolution during acute illness (visits 1 and 2). We also looked for reappearance of cold or flu, consumption of medication, complications, days off school, and reported days of illness during the following weeks when preventive potential was evaluated (visits 3 and 4).


RESULTS
At visit 2, patients in the saline group achieved primary end points (measured on a 4-point numeric scale on which 1 indicated no symptoms and 4, severe symptoms) in the parameters nasal secretion and obstruction (mean scores vs nonsaline group, 1.79 vs 2.10 and 1.25 vs 1.58, respectively) (P < .05 for both). During the prevention phase (at visit 3, 8 weeks after study entry) patients in the saline group showed significantly lower scores in sore throat, cough, nasal obstruction, and secretion (P < .05 for all). By visit 3, significantly fewer children in the saline group were using antipyretics (9% vs 33%), nasal decongestants (5% vs 47%), mucolytics (10% vs 37%), and systemic antiinfectives (6% vs 21%) (P < .05 for all). During the same period children in the saline group also reported significantly fewer illness days (31% vs 75%), school absences (17% vs 35%), and complications (8% vs 32%) (P < .05 for all). Similar results were found at the final visit.


CONCLUSIONS
Children in the saline group showed faster resolution of some nasal symptoms during acute illness and less frequent reappearance of rhinitis subsequently.
Slapak
Ivo
I
Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology Clinic, Teaching Hospital Brno, Czech Republic.
Skoupá
Jana
J
Strnad
Petr
P
Horník
Pavel
P
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007552:Isotonic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D007552:Isotonic Solutions; D012965:Sodium Chloride