Few with Chronic Rhinosinusitis Treated with Recommended Intranasal Steroids

By Kelly Young

Edited by André Sofair, MD, MPH, and William E. Chavey, MD, MS

Most patients with chronic rhinosinusitis aren't regularly treated with topical intranasal steroids as recommended by guidelines, according to a retrospective study in JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery.

Using Canadian provincial health records, researchers identified 19,000 adults who were diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis from 2011–2014 but who had not undergone endoscopic sinus surgery. Only 20% had used topical intranasal spray at any time in 2014–2015.

The authors write: “Given that ... practice guidelines provide strong recommendations for daily use of topical [intranasal steroid] therapy, improving utilization of this treatment strategy may represent an opportunity to improve the quality of care.”