Treating chronic sinonasal disease with nasal steroids does not improve asthma control, according to the Asthma Clinical Research Centers (ACRC), an American Lung Association-sponsored research program. The initial results of the Study of Asthma and Nasal Steroids (STAN) trial were presented at the American Thoracic Society Annual Conference.
“Our results indicate that while chronic sinusitis is an irritating co-morbidity, treatment of the condition will not improve asthma control in either adults or children” said Anne Dixon, MA, BM, BCh, co-PI of the ACRC at the University of Vermont and lead investigator of the STAN trial. “By knowing that nasal steroids do not improve asthma control, doctors and patients alike should rethink the use of these medications for the control of asthma. Talk with your doctor before discontinuing any medication, as each patient’s specific needs will vary.”
In the study, 388 inadequately controlled asthma patients were randomly assigned to receive either Mometasone (a nasal steroid) or a placebo. The drug was administered in addition to their baseline asthma regimen for six months.
In adults with chronic sinus disease and poorly controlled asthma, the use of nasal steroids improved nasal symptoms but had no effect on asthma control, as compared to those on placebo.
Among children, a small beneficial effect on lung function was seen in the nasal steroid group but no differences were found between groups for asthma control, quality of life and airway reactivity.
