title: Efficacy and tolerability of bromelain in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis--a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and impact on quality of life (QoL) of bromelain tablets (500 FIP) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective, open-label observational pilot study, 12 patients suffering from CRS with (CRS+NP) or without (CRS-NP) nasal polyps who had undergone prior sinus surgery were treated with bromelain tablets (500 FIP) for three months. Efficacy was evaluated using symptom scores (Total Symptom Scores: TSS); a Total Rhinoscopy Score (TRS) was also determined. QoL was assessed by using the German, adapted version of the Sinonasal Outcome Test 20 (SNOT-20 GAV).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment with bromelain tablets (500 FIP) improved TSS, TRS and SNOT-20 GAV on average. This treatment was found to be more effective, however, for CRS-NP than for CRS+NP. The average intake was six tablets, equivalent to a daily dosage of 3000 FIP. No adverse events were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preliminary results indicate good tolerability, symptom control, and improvement in QoL for the treatment of CRS using bromelain tablets (500 FIP).
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Büttner
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Achilles
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Böhm
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shah-Hosseini
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mösges
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001963:Bromelains / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000150:complications; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012852:Sinusitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D001963:Bromelains