title: Effect of chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride mouth spray on clinical signs and quality of life of patients with streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis: multicentre, prospective, randomised, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride mouth spray, used in conjunction with antibiotic treatment, on the intensity of clinical signs and quality of life of patients with group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients (n = 147) with streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis were recruited and randomly allocated to either the treatment group (penicillin plus chlorhexidine and benzydamine; n = 72) or control group (penicillin plus placebo; n = 75). Blinded assessments were conducted before and after 10 days' treatment, using an intensity rating scale for clinical sign severity, a visual analogue scale for subjective health state, the Short Form 36 Health Questionnaire for quality of life, and a customised questionnaire for side effects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The treatment group showed a statistically significant reduction in the intensity of clinical signs, compared with the control group. On treatment day 7, there was no significant difference in quality of life between the treatment and control groups. The treatment drugs were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride mouth spray, added to standard antibiotic treatment, significantly alleviate the intensity of clinical signs in patients with streptococcal pharyngitis. Further research is needed using larger sample sizes or alternative control groups.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Osmangazi University Medical Faculty, Eskisehir, Turkey.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cingi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Songu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ural
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Erdogmus
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cakli
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bal
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001591:Benzydamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058993:Oral Sprays; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010404:Penicillin V / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010612:Pharyngitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014069:Tonsillitis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D058993:Oral Sprays; D001591:Benzydamine; C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine; D010404:Penicillin V