EFFICACY OF AN AQUEOUS AND A POWDER FORMULATION OF NASAL BUDESONIDE COMPARED IN PATIENTS WITH NASAL POLYPS

Nasal polyps are commonly treated surgically, Intranasal administratio n of topical corticosteroids has gained increased acceptance as a trea tment alternative. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy of treatment of two formulations of budesonide with placebo on nasal pol yps. At four Danish clinics 138 patients suffering from moderate or se vere nasal polyps were randomized to a twice daily treatment with Rhin ocort(R) Aqua 128 mu g, Rhinocort Turbuhaler(R) 140 mu g or placebo (A stra Draco, Sweden) for 6 weeks. Polyp size (primary efficacy variable ), nasal symptoms, sense of smell, and patients' overall evaluation of treatment of efficacy were assessed by scores. Polyp size was reduced significantly in both budesonide treated groups compared with placebo , but there was no statistical difference between the two actively tre ated groups. Patients' nasal symptom scores was significantly more red uced in the Aqua compared to the Turbuhaler treated group, and both re duced symptom scores were significantly better compared to placebo. Se nse of smell was significantly improved in the actively treated groups compared to placebo. The proportion of patients rating substantial or total control over symptoms after 6 weeks treatment was 60.9% and 48. 2% in the Aqua and Turbuhaler-treated groups, respectively which was s ignificantly better compared with 29.8% in the placebo-treated group. Rhinocort Aqua and Rhinocort Turbuhaler were equally well tolerated.