Nagehan Erdogmus

Effect of combination of montelukast and levocetirizine on otitis media with effusion: a prospective, placebo-controlled trial

Abstract Conclusion: This study demonstrated that treatment with montelukast in combination with levocetirizine may have a beneficial effect on clinical improvement of middle ear fluid in children with otitis media with effusion (OME). Objective: To evaluate the effect of the combination of montelukast and levocetirizine on shortening the duration of effusion in successfully treated OME in children. Methods: This was a randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The study group consisted of 120 children (age range 2–6 years), who were diagnosed with OME of at least 2 months duration. The children were randomized into one of four groups. The treatment packs containing montelukast 4 mg (tablet) and/or levocetirizine 2.5 mg/5 ml as the active drug or placebo were prepared, numbered, and distributed by the second author. Results: The amelioration of bilateral otoscopic sign scores in the combination therapy group was statistically significantly greater than in all the other groups (p < 0.05). Improvement in bilateral tympanometric findings in the combination therapy group and montelukast group was greater than in the other groups. However, this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). When we compared the difference between otoscopic sign scores before and after treatment we found that it was statistically significant in every group (p > 0.05). However, the significant improvement in tympanometric findings occurred in all groups except the levocetirizine group (p > 0.05).

The Score For Allergic Rhinitis study in Turkey.

Background The clinical definition of allergic rhinitis (AR) is difficult to use in epidemiological settings of large populations where it is impossible to obtain the laboratory evidence of each immune response. However, the standardization of the definition of AR in epidemiological studies is of crucial importance. This study was designed to estimate the prevalence of AR in an adult general population with respect to seven distinct geographical regions in Turkey. Methods Individuals were evaluated with the Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) questionnaire for a national cross-sectional study. The Turkish version of the SFAR questionnaire was tested for clarity and sensitivity in a small sample of the general population. Results Among the 3967 interviewed subjects, the overall prevalence of AR was 29.6%, with regional variations (from 21.0% in the southeastern Anatolia region to 36.1% in the Marmara region). The prevalence was higher in women and in urban area of residence. Conclusion This national survey confirmed the elevated prevalence of AR in Turkey. Our findings may contribute to the formulation of the public health policy and development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for AR in eastern Europe.

The histopathological effect of thymoquinone on experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rats.

Background Rhinosinusitis is a common disorder and its treatment includes a variety of topical and systemic drugs. This study was designed to determine the histopathological effect of thymoquinone on experimentally induced rhinosinusitis in rats. Methods Sixty rats were randomly allocated into 3 test and 2 control groups, each of which consisted of 12 animals. The rhinosinusitis model was induced using intranasal application of platelet-activating factor. In test groups, the animals were separated into groups: (1) rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy, (2) rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone, (3) rhinosinusitis-combination therapy. The positive and negative control groups were defined: rhinosinusitis group without any treatment and the group without rhinosinusitis, respectively. The histopathological features (vascular congestion, inflammation, and epithelial injury) in nasal respiratory and olfactory mucosa of animals were examined and graded according to their severity. A quantitative and statistical analysis of histopathological features was performed. Results All histopathological features showed statistically significant differences between negative and positive control groups, respectively. Conversely, neither the group with rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy nor the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone had a statistically significant difference with the negative control group. Moreover, none of the histopathological features showed a statistically significant difference, when the group with rhinosinusitis-antibiotherapy and the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone were compared. A statistically significant difference was not determined when the group with rhinosinusitis-combination therapy was compared with the group with rhinosinusitis-thymoquinone. The histopathological features did not show a statistically significant difference between the group with combination therapy and the negative control Conclusion Thymoquinone is a promising bioactive agent for the treatment of rhinosinusitis, and its histopathological effect is as equivalent as an antibiotic.

Effect of grapefruit juice on bioavailability of montelukast

The aim of this study was to investigate possible interactions between grapefruit juice and montelukast for up to 4 hours.

Desloratadine‐montelukast combination improves quality of life and decreases nasal obstruction in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis

The effects of desloratadine‐montelukast combination on quality of life (QoL) and nasal airflow of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) has not been reported. The objective of this work was investigate the efficacy of desloratadine‐montelukast combination on nasal obstruction and health‐related quality of life (HRQL) of patients with PAR.

Does desloratadine alter the serum levels of montelukast when administered in a fixed‐dose combination?

The aim of this study was to investigate the serum levels of montelukast when administered alone or in combination with desloratadine.

Two new polymers as candidates for rhinoplasty allografts: an experimental study in a rabbit model.

Objectives: This study was performed to evaluate the biocompatibility and tensile strength of two new polymeric materials — A polyfluoro ether-modified thermoplastic polyurethane urea and a polydimethyl silicone elastomer — In an experimental rabbit model. Methods: The two polymers were implanted inside separate subperichondrial pockets created over the auricular cartilages of 12 rabbits. A control pocket received no implant. After 3 months, the animals were painlessly sacrificed, and each site was analyzed histologically for vascular congestion, acute and chronic inflammation, and fibrosis in the tissue surrounding the implant materials. Results: There were no statistically significant differences in vascular congestion, fibrosis, or acute or chronic inflammation between the control sites and either implant site. Conclusions: These results suggest that the polymers are well accepted by the tissue and remain stable during the entire study period, and that they could be very suitable materials for use in nasal reconstruction.

Survival of diced and block cartilage grafts in combination with injectable calcium hydroxylapatite

Dorsal nasal irregularities after trauma, and various procedures such as excessive nasal hump resection, are major problems for patients who have undergone rhinoplasty. Many grafts have been described for the correction of dorsal nasal irregularities. In this study, we used an injectable implant, in combination with diced or block cartilage grafts, to test the efficacy of injectable calcium hydroxylapatite on the survival of diced or block cartilage grafts.

The Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR) Study in Turkey

were present with a large septal spur and no recognizable sinonasal landmarks. The mean distance from the posterior edge of the maxillary natural ostium to the anterior edge of the sphenopalatine foramen was 23.79 mm (95% CI 22.03-25.55). CONCLUSION: The method of performing SPA ligation via lateral nasal wall incision without uncinectomy or maxillary antrostomy was successful in 90% of human cadaveric heads. In all specimens in which the lateral nasal wall incision was unsuccessful in locating the SPA, maxillary antrostomy was successful. No specimen required uncinectomy. The mean distance from maxillary natural ostium to SPA foramen was over 2cm. The routine use of maxillary antrostomy and uncinectomy is not needed to locate the SPA foramen in most nasal cavities, and moreover produces unnecessary mucosal trauma in the often medically fragile or coagulopathic patient.

Effects of escitalopram on symptoms and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis.

Background Insufficient response to treatment and declining quality of life illustrate the continuing need to find new treatment modalities for allergic rhinitis (AR). The purpose of this study was to assess how escitalopram affects symptoms and quality of life among AR patients. Methods This study included 120 patients with AR, who were divided into four treatment groups of 30 patients each. Patients were assessed before treatment and at the end of the 3rd month based on nasal symptom scores, otorhinolaryngological examination, the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, and the Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory. All patients received standardized treatments. Group A patients with positive Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory scores received escitalopram, and group B patients with positive Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory scores received placebo. Group C patients with negative Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory scores received escitalopram, and group D patients with negative Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventory scores received placebo. Results Anxiety scores pre- and posttreatment revealed a statistically significant reduction in groups A, C, and D. All four groups exhibited reduced posttreatment scores for sleep, nonnasal and noneye symptoms, eye symptoms, and emotions. A statistically significant difference appeared between groups A and B in terms of general complaints and nasal symptom scores. Conclusion The positive effects of escitalopram on posttreatment quality of life in the Beck-positive patient group were a predictable outcome. Otolaryngologists should pay more attention to the moods of their patients with AR while they evaluate treatment during clinical follow-up visits.