Effectiveness of Intranasal Mometasone Furoate vs Saline for Sleep-Disordered Breathing in Children: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Treatment of the Nose for Patients with Sleep Apnea

Nasal obstruction is common in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and may variably impact symptoms and severity of OSA. It is associated with decreased continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) compliance, and both medical and surgical management of nasal obstruction have resulted in increased CPAP adherence. Treatment of OSA with comorbid rhinitis via topical nasal steroids demonstrates a beneficial impact on daytime sleepiness. Isolated nasal surgery has been shown to result in decreased daytime sleepiness and snoring, with minimal effect on OSA severity.

The impact of intranasal corticosteroids in a prospective cohort of children with sleep disordered breathing

INTRODUCTION

Sleep disordered breathing (SDB) is common in children and the most common reason for adenotonsillectomy. This large observational cohort study from a specialist outpatient clinic describes the impact of intranasal steroids (INS) on symptom improvement and the need for surgery.

METHOD

Observational cohort study of 568 children assessing the impact of INS using the OSA-5 questionnaire with clinical and surgical outcome measures.

RESULTS

The mean OSA-5 score at first visit was 7.78. Symptoms were persistent for a median 9 months (range 2-72). 51% underwent a trial of INS with 56% reporting symptomatic improvement. The mean score decreased from 8.2 to 5.5 (p < 0.0001) in those prescribed INS. They had a significantly higher symptom load (p < 0.01), turbinate size (p < 0.005) and history of atopy (p < 0.01) than the non-trial group. The rate of surgery in the non-trial group was 56% compared with 38% in those who had INS (p < 0.001). With increasing symptom burden, the reported improvement with INS and comparative reduction in surgery increased. Baseline OSA-5 scores were predictive of rates of surgery. Atopic status or age did not influence response to INS.

CONCLUSION

The mean score at first visit and the median duration of symptoms indicated significant persistent symptoms in this cohort. The use of INS improved symptoms of SDB in 56%. The need for surgery in the group that received INS was 38% compared with 56% in those not trialling INS, despite the non-trial group having significantly less symptoms and signs. Symptomatic improvement was not influenced by age or atopic status.