ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride mouth spray, used in conjunction with antibiotic treatment, on the intensity of clinical signs and quality of life of patients with group A streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis. METHODS: Patients (n = 147) with streptococcal tonsillopharyngitis were recruited and randomly allocated to either the treatment group (penicillin plus chlorhexidine and benzydamine; n = 72) or control group (penicillin plus placebo; n = 75). Blinded assessments were conducted before and after 10 days' treatment, using an intensity rating scale for clinical sign severity, a visual analogue scale for subjective health state, the Short Form 36 Health Questionnaire for quality of life, and a customised questionnaire for side effects. RESULTS: The treatment group showed a statistically significant reduction in the intensity of clinical signs, compared with the control group. On treatment day 7, there was no significant difference in quality of life between the treatment and control groups. The treatment drugs were well tolerated, and no serious adverse events were observed. CONCLUSION: Chlorhexidine gluconate and benzydamine hydrochloride mouth spray, added to standard antibiotic treatment, significantly alleviate the intensity of clinical signs in patients with streptococcal pharyngitis. Further research is needed using larger sample sizes or alternative control groups.
Subject(s)
Anti-Infective Agents/therapeutic use , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use , Benzydamine/therapeutic use , Chlorhexidine/analogs & derivatives , Pharyngitis/drug therapy , Streptococcal Infections/drug therapy , Acute Disease , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Anti-Infective Agents/administration & dosage , Anti-Inflammatory Agents/administration & dosage , Benzydamine/administration & dosage , Chlorhexidine/administration & dosage , Chlorhexidine/therapeutic use , Double-Blind Method , Drug Combinations , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Oral Sprays , Pain/prevention & control , Penicillin V/therapeutic use , Pharyngitis/microbiology , Pharyngitis/physiopathology , Prospective Studies , Quality of Life , Streptococcal Infections/physiopathology , Tonsillitis/drug therapy , Tonsillitis/microbiology , Tonsillitis/physiopathology , Treatment Outcome , Young AdultABSTRACT
In order to relieve the symptoms of nasal obstruction in patients with inferior turbinate hypertrophy, various surgical methods have been used. Aim of this study was to compare post-operative outcome between radiofrequency and microdebrider-assisted partial turbinoplasty. A prospective study was performed in 268 patients with nasal obstruction and hypertrophied turbinate mucosa refractory to medical treatment, from December 2000 to December 2005. Overall, 124 patients were treated with microdebrider (Group 1) and 144 patients with radiofrequency (Group 2). Post-operative changes in the degree of nasal obstruction, nasal discharge, hyposmia and headache were evaluated prospectively on the 7(th) day, 1(st), and 3(rd) months after the procedure. Rhinomanometric evaluation was also performed for objective comparison. Both procedures were perfectly tolerated by the patients. The nasal obstruction scale improved significantly in Group 1 on day 7, and within the periods of 1(st) and 3(rd) months after surgery, while the significant improvement took place in Group 2 only in the 1(st) and 3(rd) months after surgery. The comparison between the two groups showed that symptom improvement was statistically significant in Group 1 on the 7(th) day, 1(st) and 3(rd) months after surgery. Severity of nasal discharge, headache and hyposmia grades improved significantly in the first week after the operation both in the microdebrider and radiofrequency group and persisted during the 1(st) and 3(rd) months after the operation. Since microdebrider can effectively widen the nasal airway, the rhinomanometric measurements of these patients were found to be lower than in the radiofrequency group. Moreover, patient satisfaction in the microdebrider group was higher than that in the radiofrequency group. In conclusion, this study suggests that microdebrider-assisted partial turbinoplasty is more effective and satisfactory in relieving nasal obstruction.
Subject(s)
Catheter Ablation , Debridement , Turbinates/pathology , Turbinates/surgery , Adult , Female , Humans , Hypertrophy , Male , Otorhinolaryngologic Surgical Procedures/methods , Patient Satisfaction , Prospective Studies , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Allergic rhinitis is still a commonly investigated disease all over the world. Allergens are usually in the nature of glycoprotein or protein which interact with antibodies resulting in the formation of specific Ig E in the body 1. It is presumed that some environmental factors play an important role in their clinics. In allergic rhinitis, symptoms usually occur after the interaction of nasal mucosa with allergens. Allergens may be indoors, outdoors or in both environments. House-dust contains most of the indoor allergens. Mites are the most egregious allergen in house dust. D. pteronyssinus is commonly seen in European countries, D. farinae is mostly seen in North America. House-dust mites play an important role in allergic sensitization of individuals in Turkey. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a common chronic disorder that results most frequently from sensitivity to house-dust mites. National and international guidelines for the management of allergic rhinitis recommend that house and dust mite avoidance measures be considered for all patients with house-dust mite provoked rhinitis. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis are related to the environmental mite level in which patients live. The aim of this study is to show the relationship between mite levels and symptoms of allergic rhinitis diagnosed patients and the change of mite levels in the environment after appropriate education.
Subject(s)
Antigens, Dermatophagoides , Environmental Exposure/prevention & control , Mites , Patient Education as Topic , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/prevention & control , Animals , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Preventive Health Services/methods , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology , TurkeyABSTRACT
Allergic rhinitis is still a commonly investigated disease all over the world. Allergens are usually in the nature of glycoprotein or protein which interact with antibodies resulting in the formation of specific Ig E in the body 1. It is presumed that some environmental factors play an important role in their clinics. In allergic rhinitis, symptoms usually occur after the interaction of nasal mucosa with allergens. Allergens may be indoors, outdoors or in both environments. House-dust contains most of the indoor allergens. Mites are the most egregious allergen in house dust. D. pteronyssinus is commonly seen in European countries, D. farinae is mostly seen in North America. House-dust mites play an important role in allergic sensitization of individuals in Turkey. Perennial allergic rhinitis is a common chronic disorder that results most frequently from sensitivity to house-dust mites. National and international guidelines for the management of allergic rhinitis recommend that house and dust mite avoidance measures be considered for all patients with house-dust mite provoked rhinitis. Symptoms of allergic rhinitis are related to the environmental mite level in which patients live. The aim of this study is to show the relationship between mite levels and symptoms of allergic rhinitis diagnosed patients and the change of mite levels in the environment after appropriate education
La rinitis alérgica es una enfermedad sobre la que todavía se investiga en todo el mundo. Los alergenos por lo común son de naturaleza glicoproteica o proteica, que interactúan con anticuerpos IgE específicos producidos por el paciente. Se supone que los factores ambientales juegan un papel importante en la clínica. Los síntomas de rinitis alérgica por lo general tienen lugar tras la interacción de la mucosa nasal con los alergenos. Los alergenos pueden ser domiciliarios, del exterior o de ambos ambientes. El polvo de casa contiene muchos de los alergenos domiciliarios. Los ácaros son los alergenos más destacados del polvo doméstico. El D. pteronyssinus es el más común en los países europeos, mientras que el D. farinae es el más abundante en Norte- américa. En Turquía los ácaros del polvo juegan un papel destacado en la sensibilización alérgica. La rinitis alérgica perenne es una enfermedad crónica común debida con más frecuencia a la sensibilización a los ácaros del polvo doméstico. Las guías nacional e internacionales para el tratamiento de la rinitis alérgica recomiendan establecer medidas para evitar los ácaros del polvo doméstico a todos los pacientes con rinitis causada por los ácaros. Los síntomas de rinitis alérgica están relacionados con el nivel de ácaros del ambiente en que vive el paciente. El objetivo de este estudio es mostrar la relación entre el nivel de ácaros y los síntomas en los pacientes diagnosticados de rinitis alérgica y el cambio de la concentración de ácaros en el ambiente después de una educación apropiada
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Humans , Rhinitis/epidemiology , Rhinitis/prevention & control , Acaridae/immunology , Allergens/immunology , Allergens/therapeutic use , Desensitization, Immunologic/methods , Desensitization, Immunologic , Mites , Mites/immunology , Mites/pathogenicity , Environment , Preventive Medicine/education , Preventive Medicine/methods , Preventive Medicine/trendsABSTRACT
Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic disease in our country. The epidemiology of allergic rhinitis varies according to the geographic regions of the country. The aim of this study was to find out if it also differs in urban and rural areas of the same region. The study groups were randomly selected in order to sample high school students living in small towns or villages in rural areas and in the city center. Initially the screening questionnaires about allergic rhinitis were responded by the students at school. Then the questionnaires were evaluated. Seven hundred eighty-three students who had a positive questionnaire outcome were underwent an ENT examination. Then skin tests and blood analysis were performed to two hundred forty-six students who were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis clinically. Prick test results was found to be positive 61.8% in urban areas and 46.7% in rural areas. The comparison of the ratios of urban and rural areas was significant. Similar results were obtained in serum specific Ig E analysis. The correlation of specific Ig E levels and skin prick test results was significant in all allergens. Allergic rhinitis is a medical and economic problem all over the world and further epidemiologic investigations should be performed.
Subject(s)
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/epidemiology , Adolescent , Allergens , Animals , Animals, Domestic/immunology , Environmental Exposure , Fungi/immunology , Humans , Immunoglobulin E/blood , Immunoglobulin E/immunology , Mites/immunology , Pollen/immunology , Prevalence , Rural Population , Sampling Studies , Skin Tests , Surveys and Questionnaires , Turkey/epidemiology , Urban PopulationABSTRACT
Allergic rhinitis is the most common allergic disease in our country. The epidemiology of allergic rhinitis varies according to the geographic regions of the country. The aim of this study was to find out if it also differs in urban and rural areas of the same region. The study groups were randomly selected in order to sample high school students living in small towns or villages in rural areas and in the city center. Initially the screening questionnaires about allergic rhinitis were responded by the students at school. Then the questionnaires were evaluated. Seven hundred eighty-three students who had a positive questionnaire outcome were underwent an ENT examination. Then skin tests and blood analysis were performed to two hundred forty-six students who were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis clinically. Prick test results was found to be positive 61.8 % in urban areas and 46.7 % in rural areas. The comparison of the ratios of urban and rural areas was significant. Similar results were obtained in serum specific Ig E analysis. The correlation of specific Ig E levels and skin prick test results was significant in all allergens. Allergic rhinitis is a medical and economic problem all over the world and further epidemiologic investigations should be performed
La rinitis alérgica es la enfermedad alérgica más común en Turquía, y su epidemiología varía dependiendo de las regiones del país. El presente estudio tenía por objeto averiguar si la epidemiología variaba también entre las zonas urbanas y rurales de la misma región. Los grupos de estudio se seleccionaron aleatoriamente para realizar un muestreo de los alumnos de educación secundaria tanto de aldeas y pueblos de zonas rurales como del núcleo urbano. Inicialmente los alumnos respondieron en los institutos a cuestionarios de diagnóstico, que posteriormente se evaluaron. 783 alumnos cuyo cuestionario resultó positivo se sometieron a una exploración de oído, nariz y garganta. A continuación se realizaron pruebas cutáneas y análisis de sangre a 246 alumnos a los que se había diagnosticado clínicamente una rinitis alérgica. Las pruebas cutáneas dieron positivo en un 61,8 % en las zonas urbanas y en un 46,7 % en las zonas rurales. La diferencia entre los porcentajes de las zonas rurales y urbanas fue significativa, obteniéndose resultados similares en los análisis de IgE específica sérica. La correlación entre los niveles de IgE específica y los resultados de las pruebas cutáneas fue significativa en todos los alergenos. La rinitis alérgica es un problema médico y económico en todo el mundo, y deben realizarse más investigaciones epidemiológicas
Subject(s)
Male , Female , Adolescent , Humans , Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/epidemiology , Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/epidemiology , Epidemiologic Studies , Turkey/epidemiology , Students/statistics & numerical data , Immunoglobulin E/analysis , Rural Population/statistics & numerical data , Urban Population/statistics & numerical data , Skin TestsABSTRACT
Laryngeal tuberculosis is the most common granulomatous disease of the larynx. In this study, the videostroboscopic findings and vocal assessments of a 28-year-old female with laryngeal and pulmonary tuberculosis were evaluated. Although it can be treated successfully, tuberculosis of the larynx may cause irreversible changes in voice quality which is very important for vocal professionals.
Subject(s)
Tuberculosis, Laryngeal/complications , Vocal Cords/physiopathology , Voice Disorders/etiology , Voice Disorders/physiopathology , Voice Quality , Adult , Female , Humans , Voice Disorders/diagnosisABSTRACT
Aim of the study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of sublingual-oral immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis induced by various allergens and to demonstrate its effects using objective methods such as skin prick tests and specific IgE analysis. The first 100 patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and treated with sublingual-oral immunotherapy took part in the study and were followed for 2 years. Baseline findings were statistically compared with data obtained at the end of the study period. All symptoms including nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itching, as well as all clinical findings, including lower turbinate colour, turbinate congestion, and nasal discharge, observed by the physician, were significantly decreased after sublingual-oral treatment for two years (p < 0.001). A significant reduction in skin test reactivity was found when the initial and the final tests were compared. The difference between before and after treatment levels of specific IgE levels for D. pteronyssinus, D. farinea, and grasses were significant (p < 0.001), but were not significant for cereals (p=679 ns). As far as concerns the correlation between the recovery of clinical findings and age, as well as the correlation between the recovery of clinical findings and sex, neither of these were statistically significant (age: r = -0.076, p = 0.453, sex: r = -0.004, p = 0.97). The efficacy of the treatment, determined by means of symptom evaluations, was higher than expected in our study. A certain effect of this recovery might be due to the placebo effect, but it is supported by the improvement in skin tests and specific IgE levels.
