title: Efficacy and safety of erdosteine in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis - a pilot study.
abstract: Erdosteine was originally developed as a mucolytic agent. It is a multimechanism substance with anti-bacterial, anti-oxidant, and most importantly anti-inflammatory effects. Given similar mechanisms of action (suppression of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor α), it could become a reasonable alternative to currently used treatments with macrolides or steroids.
  
  
  
  To assess efficacy and safety of erdosteine in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP).
  
  
  
  A prospective non-interventional post-authorisation study comparing patients treated with erdosteine only or the combination of erdosteine and nasal corticosteroid spray for CRSwNP. The end-points were pre- and post-treatment changes in endoscopic score and subjective evaluation of CRSwNP related symptoms using a 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test questionnaire. Patients underwent nasal endoscopy and filled the questionnaire before and after the treatment.
  
  
  
  No patient experienced any adverse effect during the study. A comparison of pre- and post-treatment endoscopic findings and questionnaire values revealed significant reduction in both patient groups, with a significantly better response in the erdosteine only group.
  
  
  
  Based on this pilot study, erdosteine seems effective in the treatment of CRSwNP and might become a reasonable alternative to currently used medication. The therapeutical role of erdosteine needs to be further assessed.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hoza
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Salzman
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Starek
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Schalek
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kellnerova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011244:Pregnadienediols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013864:Thioglycolates / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013876:Thiophenes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005100:Expectorants; D011244:Pregnadienediols; D013864:Thioglycolates; D013876:Thiophenes; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; C048498:erdosteine