Sinus treatment helps asthma

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study shows that correcting sinus problems will improve asthma symptoms.
Asthma is often linked to sinus problems. Those who have asthma tend to have abnormal sinus scans. Now a team at the Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, have looked at the impact of treating sinusitis upon asthma. A group of 43 asthmatic patients took part in a study where individuals with chronic sinus symptoms and abnormal sinus scans had either medical therapy, with nasal douching, non-absorbed steroid nose drops and three months of antibiotics - or endoscopic sinus surgery.

Medical treatment proved to be as effective as surgery for sinus problems, including nasal polyps. Both treatments were associated with improvements in asthma symptoms, control, and in measurements that give an indication of asthma status. For those with nasal polyps, medical treatment gave better improvements than did surgery. Therefore, treatment of sinus symptoms is well worthwhile for those who also have asthma.

Source
European Respiratory Journal July 2006

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