The Use of Intranasal Corticosteroids in Children

Abstract

Objective: Investigate the use of intranasal corticosteroids (ICS) by otolaryngologists with a predominantly pediatric practice, a national inquiry has been conducted in a European country. Method: Participants: 212 otolaryngologists, representing around 10% of the specialty, answered the survey (M/F ratio=179/33). The mean age of this population was 52 ± 8.4 years, with a mean time in practice of 20.7 ± 9 years. Results: Disease treated by ICS were chronic rhinosinusitis in 39.2% for a mean duration of 30 days in 62.2% of the cases, aergic rhinitis in 69.2 %, nasal polyposis in 67.2%, and OME in 30.2%. Acute rhinosinusitis was considered for treatment by intranasal corticosteroids by only 8.5% of otolaryngologists. Adenoid hypertrophy was treated in 16% of cases by ICS. Symptoms considered for treatment by ICS were nasal obstruction (88.6%), rhinorrhea (67.6%), nasal itching (66.1%), ocular symptoms (41.2%), sneezing (63%), olfactory troubles (73.2%), dyspnea (76%), edema of nasal mucosa (76.2%). Fever was never an indication (75%). Conclusion: According to this nationwide survey nasal polyposis and allergic rhinitis are the most frequent indications for ICS treatment in children.