Upper airways disease: role of corticosteroids

Abstract

Nasal topical steroids (INCSs) are well established effective therapy in allergic rhinitis both in children and adults. There is clear benefit in using INCSs over antihistamines in allergic rhinitis while short courses of oral corticosteroids (CSs) may be indicated in severe cases. The addition of INCSs to oral antibiotics has been proven to be more effective than antibiotics alone for achieving symptomatic improvement in patients with acute rhino sinusitis. INCSs as monotherapy are also effective in the treatment of allergic rhinosinusitis (ARS). Several randomized controlled trials have evaluated the role of INCSs in chronic RS with the majority demonstrating a beneficial effect. In adults, the clinical efficacy of oral corticosteroids in the management of chronic RS with nasal polyposis is well established. There are no randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of systemic CSs in chronic RS without nasal polyposis.