THE EFFECT OF BUDESONIDE (RHINOCORT(R)) IN THE TREATMENT OF SMALL ANDMEDIUM-SIZED NASAL POLYPS

The objectives of this study were to determine if the size of nasal po lyps could be assessed in a reproducible way and to study the effect o f budesonide in patients suffering from eosinophilic nasal polyposis w ith small and medium sized polyps. Ninety-one patients entered the stu dy. Budesonide 200 mug b.i.d. (aerosol or aqua) and placebo (aerosol o r aqua) were compared in a 3-month double-blind, multi-centre, randomi zed study. Efficacy was measured by an assessment of polyp size, nasal peak-flow index and the patient's assessment of nasal symptoms. The c onclusions were that the size of polyps could be assessed in a reprodu cible way, and that budesonide delivered either as a water-based suspe nsion or as an aerosol is effective in the treatment of patients with small and medium sized polyps.