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Study Title:

Efficacy and tolerability of bromelain in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis--a pilot study.

Study Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
To evaluate the efficacy, tolerability, and impact on quality of life (QoL) of bromelain tablets (500 FIP) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

METHODS:
In this prospective, open-label observational pilot study, 12 patients suffering from CRS with (CRS+NP) or without (CRS-NP) nasal polyps who had undergone prior sinus surgery were treated with bromelain tablets (500 FIP) for three months. Efficacy was evaluated using symptom scores (Total Symptom Scores: TSS), a Total Rhinoscopy Score (TRS) was also determined. QoL was assessed by using the German, adapted version of the Sinonasal Outcome Test 20 (SNOT-20 GAV).

RESULTS:
Treatment with bromelain tablets (500 FIP) improved TSS, TRS and SNOT-20 GAV on average. This treatment was found to be more effective, however, for CRS-NP than for CRS+NP. The average intake was six tablets, equivalent to a daily dosage of 3000 FIP. No adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSION:
Preliminary results indicate good tolerability, symptom control, and improvement in QoL for the treatment of CRS using bromelain tablets (500 FIP).

Study Information

Büttner L, Achilles N, Böhm M, Shah-Hosseini K, Mösges R.
Efficacy and tolerability of bromelain in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis--a pilot study.
B-ENT.
2013 September
Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, University of Cologne, Germany