Sino nasal inhalation of isotonic versus hypertonic saline (6.0%) in CF patients with chronic rhinosinusitis - Results of a multicenter, prospective, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial

J Cyst Fibros. 2016 Nov;15(6):e57-e66. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2016.05.003. Epub 2016 Jun 5.

Abstract

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis is a hallmark of Cystic fibrosis (CF) impairing the patients' quality of life and overall health. However, therapeutic options have not been sufficiently evaluated. Bronchial inhalation of mucolytic substances is a gold standard in CF therapy. Previously, we found that sinonasal inhalation of dornase alfa as vibrating aerosol reduces symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis more effectively than NaCl 0.9% (net treatment benefit: -5.87±2.3 points, p=0.017; SNOT-20 total score). This multicenter study compares the effect of NaCl 6.0% vs. NaCl 0.9% following the protocol from our preceding study with dornase alfa.

Methods: Sixty nine CF patients with chronic rhinosinusitis in eleven German CF centers were randomized to receive sinonasal vibrating inhalation of either NaCl 6.0% or NaCl 0.9% for 28days. After 28days of wash-out, patients crossed over to the alternative treatment. The primary outcome parameter was symptom score in the disease-specific quality of life Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20 (SNOT-20). Additionally, pulmonary function was assessed, as well as rhinomanometry and inflammatory markers in nasal lavage (neutrophil elastase, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-8) in a subgroup.

Results: Both therapeutic arms were well tolerated and showed slight improvements in SNOT-20 total scores (NaCl 6.0%: -3.1±6.5 points, NaCl 0.9%: -5.1±8.3 points, ns). In both treatment groups, changes of inflammatory parameters in nasal lavage from day 1 to day 29 were not significant. We suppose that the irritating properties of NaCl 6.0% reduced the suitability of the SNOT-20 scores as an outcome parameter. Alternative primary outcome parameters such as MR-imaging or the quantity of sinonasal secretions mobilized with both saline concentrations were, however, not feasible.

Conclusion: Sinonasal inhalation with NaCl 6.0% did not lead to superior results vs. NaCl 0.9%, whereas dornase alfa had been significantly more effective than NaCl 0.9%.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01086839.

Keywords: Hypertonic saline; Inflammation; Nasal lavage; Rhinomanometry; Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20; Sodium chloride.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Administration, Inhalation
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease
  • Cystic Fibrosis / complications*
  • Drug Monitoring
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nasal Lavage / methods
  • Quality of Life*
  • Respiratory Function Tests / methods
  • Rhinitis* / diagnosis
  • Rhinitis* / drug therapy
  • Rhinitis* / etiology
  • Rhinitis* / psychology
  • Rhinomanometry / methods
  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic* / administration & dosage
  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic* / adverse effects
  • Sinusitis* / diagnosis
  • Sinusitis* / drug therapy
  • Sinusitis* / etiology
  • Sinusitis* / psychology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Saline Solution, Hypertonic

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT01086839