Use of Probiotics as Adjunctive Treatment for Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Study Details
Study Description
Brief Summary
Chronic sinusitis is reported to be one of the most widespread disorders in the United States. It can be caused by a variety of reasons such as allergy, infection and/or defects in T-cells which help regulate immune function. Medication and other costs related to treatment of nasal and sinus infections are estimated to be more than $60 million annually putting a considerable strain on the economy of health care.
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are normally present in the gut of a healthy individual. They are also known as "friendly bacteria" and have been used to help maintain the normal functioning of the immune system. They are safe and are commercially available in the form of yoghurt, sachets, chewable tablets or flavored capsules. Since a number of nasal and sinus disorders are related to allergy and improper functioning of the immune system, we hypothesize that regular use of probiotics may help improve chronic nasal and sinus symptoms by boosting immune responses.
The project we propose is novel because it would be the first study evaluating the usefulness of probiotics for the larger population having chronic sinusitis rather than those having only allergic symptoms. We aim to assess whether regular use of probiotics will help improve symptoms of chronic sinusitis and will have a greater effect than placebo in this regard.
Condition or Disease | Intervention/Treatment | Phase |
---|---|---|
|
Phase 4 |
Detailed Description
Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. They are a part of the normal gastrointestinal flora and have safely been used to boost immune responses in patients with perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Their exact mechanism of benefit is unknown but they primarily help to regulate T-cell function which is important in maintaining immune tolerance.
Chronic rhinosinusitis is widely prevalent and affects nearly 16 million people in the US alone each year. It puts a strain on the health resources of the nation in terms of costs related to medications and surgery. Chronic rhinosinusitis can be caused by a variety of reasons including allergy/hypersensitivity, infection, nasal anatomical variations and T-cell regulatory dysfunction. We hypothesize that regular use of probiotics in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis will result in substantial improvement in their symptoms by boosting their immunity and may also help decrease their medication usage.
Our study will be a double-blinded, randomized, control trial. We hope to recruit 100 patients from the University Otolaryngology and Allergy Clinics. Fifty patients will be randomized to the treatment (active) arm and 50 patients to the placebo arm. Subjects will be followed for 2 months during their period of participation in the study.
The main aim of our study is to determine whether regular use of probiotics in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis helps improve their quality of life. Our main outcome of interest is a change in the mean score of the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-20) form in the treatment group and a greater change in the mean score of the SNOT-20 in the treatment arm as compared to the placebo arm. If probiotics are found to be effective, they may be used as a cost-effective, adjunctive therapy for patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.
Study Design
Arms and Interventions
Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
---|---|
Placebo Comparator: Placebo pill Placebo pills on same schedule as active intervention. |
Other: Placebo
Placebo pill
|
Active Comparator: Probiotic L. rhamnosus R0011 strain |
Drug: probiotic containing L.rhamnosus R0011 strain
500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet bid for 4 weeks
Other Names:
|
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcome Measures
- Mean Reduction in SNOT-20 Scores [8 weeks]
Mean reduction (and Standard deviation) in SNOT-20 scores, from baseline to 8 week measurements. SinoNasal Outcome Test measures symptom severity. It is a summary score, ranging from 0 to 100 with 100 indicating worse symptoms. Since 100 represents more severe symptoms, the changes represented here are reductions in SNOT-scores, even though they are not expressed as negative numbers.
Secondary Outcome Measures
- Side Effect Summary [8 weeks]
Totals of all side effects for placebo group and treatment group over the course of the eight week trial (including patients who dropped from the study after baseline measurement). Individual categories of side-effects are listed in Adverse events section.
- Mean Number of Days of Antibiotic Use During the Study Period (0-8 Weeks) [At 8 weeks after baseline measures]
Mean number of days that antibiotics were used in the subgroup (placebo vs Probiotic arm)
- Mean Number of Days of Steroid Spray Use for Each Group [8 weeks]
Eligibility Criteria
Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
-
Age ≥15 and ≤70 years.
-
The patient must be bothered by each of the two following symptoms(>50% of days in the last 3 months):
- More than 12 consecutive weeks of symptomatic nasal obstruction and, B. More than 12 weeks of symptomatic nasal discharge.
-
An Otolaryngologist evaluation and diagnosis of chronic inflammatory rhinosinusitis (hyperplastic mucosa, polyps in absence of overt bacterial infection)
-
Access to telephone (home or person cell).
Exclusion Criteria:
-
Sinus surgery within the last 3 months
-
Acute illness within the last 2 weeks requiring antibiotics: including: otitis media, pharyngitis, bronchitis, or laryngitis.
-
Immunosuppression (due to medications including oral steroids, or due to autoimmune diseases, HIV infection, cystic fibrosis, immunodeficiency, malignancies, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, etc.)
-
Patients with chronic or acute bacterial sinusitis.(Clinical diagnosis-to be decided by MD)
-
An allergic reaction to a probiotic dietary supplement in the past (such as symptoms of tightness in the chest, breathing difficulties, skin hives, rash or other clinical symptoms consistent with sensitivity or intolerance)
-
Inability to speak or read English.
-
Pregnancy and Lactation
Contacts and Locations
Locations
No locations specified.Sponsors and Collaborators
- University of Michigan
- Institut Rosell
Investigators
- Principal Investigator: Jeffrey E Terrell, MD, University of Michigan
Study Documents (Full-Text)
None provided.More Information
Publications
None provided.- HUM00006212
Study Results
Participant Flow
Recruitment Details | 82 participants were screened . 77 enrolled. |
---|---|
Pre-assignment Detail |
Arm/Group Title | Probiotic | Placebo |
---|---|---|
Arm/Group Description | The study protocol scheduled daily oral supplementation of either the probiotic or the placebo twice daily for four weeks. The probiotic product was a chewable tablet containing 500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet. Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. | Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. |
Period Title: Overall Study | ||
STARTED | 39 | 38 |
COMPLETED | 37 | 35 |
NOT COMPLETED | 2 | 3 |
Baseline Characteristics
Arm/Group Title | Probiotic | Placebo Pill | Total |
---|---|---|---|
Arm/Group Description | drug probiotic containing L.rhamnosus R0011 strain: 500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet bid for 4 weeks | Placebo pills on same schedule as active intervention. probiotic containing L.rhamnosus R0011 strain: 500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet bid for 4 weeks | Total of all reporting groups |
Overall Participants | 39 | 38 | 77 |
Age (years) [Mean (Standard Deviation) ] | |||
Mean (Standard Deviation) [years] |
49.4
(12.6)
|
49.6
(8.6)
|
49.5
(10)
|
Sex: Female, Male (Count of Participants) | |||
Female |
19
48.7%
|
25
65.8%
|
44
57.1%
|
Male |
20
51.3%
|
13
34.2%
|
33
42.9%
|
Ethnicity (NIH/OMB) (Count of Participants) | |||
Hispanic or Latino |
2
5.1%
|
3
7.9%
|
5
6.5%
|
Not Hispanic or Latino |
37
94.9%
|
35
92.1%
|
72
93.5%
|
Unknown or Not Reported |
0
0%
|
0
0%
|
0
0%
|
asthma (participants) [Number] | |||
No asthma |
14
35.9%
|
14
36.8%
|
28
36.4%
|
intermittent and mild asthma |
13
33.3%
|
10
26.3%
|
23
29.9%
|
moderate-severe asthma |
12
30.8%
|
14
36.8%
|
26
33.8%
|
aspirin sensitivity (participants) [Number] | |||
Aspirin Sensitivity |
12
30.8%
|
12
31.6%
|
24
31.2%
|
No aspirin sensitivity |
27
69.2%
|
26
68.4%
|
53
68.8%
|
SinoNasal Outcome Test Score (SNOT-20) (units on a scale) [Mean (Standard Deviation) ] | |||
Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale] |
36.4
(16.2)
|
39.5
(19.8)
|
37.9
(17.9)
|
Outcome Measures
Title | Mean Reduction in SNOT-20 Scores |
---|---|
Description | Mean reduction (and Standard deviation) in SNOT-20 scores, from baseline to 8 week measurements. SinoNasal Outcome Test measures symptom severity. It is a summary score, ranging from 0 to 100 with 100 indicating worse symptoms. Since 100 represents more severe symptoms, the changes represented here are reductions in SNOT-scores, even though they are not expressed as negative numbers. |
Time Frame | 8 weeks |
Outcome Measure Data
Analysis Population Description |
---|
[Not Specified] |
Arm/Group Title | Probiotic | Placebo |
---|---|---|
Arm/Group Description | The study protocol scheduled daily oral supplementation of either the probiotic or the placebo twice daily for four weeks. The probiotic product was a chewable tablet containing 500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet. Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. | Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. |
Measure Participants | 37 | 35 |
Mean (Standard Deviation) [units on a scale] |
1.8
(12)
|
5.5
(14)
|
Statistical Analysis 1
Statistical Analysis Overview | Comparison Group Selection | Probiotic, Placebo |
---|---|---|
Comments | ||
Type of Statistical Test | Superiority or Other | |
Comments | ||
Statistical Test of Hypothesis | p-Value | 0.23 |
Comments | ||
Method | t-test, 2 sided | |
Comments |
Title | Side Effect Summary |
---|---|
Description | Totals of all side effects for placebo group and treatment group over the course of the eight week trial (including patients who dropped from the study after baseline measurement). Individual categories of side-effects are listed in Adverse events section. |
Time Frame | 8 weeks |
Outcome Measure Data
Analysis Population Description |
---|
The sample size on the placebo side is reduced due to some study participants not reporting their 8 week survey |
Arm/Group Title | Placebo Pill | Probiotic |
---|---|---|
Arm/Group Description | Placebo pills on same schedule as active intervention. Placebo: Placebo pill | L. rhamnosus R0011 strain probiotic containing L.rhamnosus R0011 strain: 500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet bid for 4 weeks |
Measure Participants | 35 | 37 |
Number [participants] |
17
43.6%
|
14
36.8%
|
Statistical Analysis 1
Statistical Analysis Overview | Comparison Group Selection | Probiotic, Placebo |
---|---|---|
Comments | ||
Type of Statistical Test | Superiority or Other | |
Comments | ||
Statistical Test of Hypothesis | p-Value | .31 |
Comments | ||
Method | t-test, 2 sided | |
Comments |
Title | Mean Number of Days of Antibiotic Use During the Study Period (0-8 Weeks) |
---|---|
Description | Mean number of days that antibiotics were used in the subgroup (placebo vs Probiotic arm) |
Time Frame | At 8 weeks after baseline measures |
Outcome Measure Data
Analysis Population Description |
---|
[Not Specified] |
Arm/Group Title | Placebo | Active Intervention |
---|---|---|
Arm/Group Description | Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. | The study protocol scheduled daily oral supplementation of either the probiotic or the placebo twice daily for four weeks. The probiotic product was a chewable tablet containing 500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet. Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. |
Measure Participants | 35 | 37 |
Mean (Standard Deviation) [days] |
1.9
(5.5)
|
0.8
(2.7)
|
Title | Mean Number of Days of Steroid Spray Use for Each Group |
---|---|
Description | |
Time Frame | 8 weeks |
Outcome Measure Data
Analysis Population Description |
---|
[Not Specified] |
Arm/Group Title | Probiotic | Placebo |
---|---|---|
Arm/Group Description | The study protocol scheduled daily oral supplementation of either the probiotic or the placebo twice daily for four weeks. The probiotic product was a chewable tablet containing 500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet. Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. | Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. |
Measure Participants | 37 | 35 |
Mean (Standard Deviation) [days] |
2.8
(7.4)
|
0.4
(2.2)
|
Adverse Events
Time Frame | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Adverse Event Reporting Description | ||||
Arm/Group Title | Active Intervention | Placebo | ||
Arm/Group Description | The study protocol scheduled daily oral supplementation of either the probiotic or the placebo twice daily for four weeks. The probiotic product was a chewable tablet containing 500 million active cells of L rhamnosus R0011 strain per tablet. Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. | Placebo tablets comparable to the probiotic in color, weight, texture, and flavor were also available. | ||
All Cause Mortality |
||||
Active Intervention | Placebo | |||
Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | |
Total | / (NaN) | / (NaN) | ||
Serious Adverse Events |
||||
Active Intervention | Placebo | |||
Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | |
Total | 0/39 (0%) | 0/38 (0%) | ||
Other (Not Including Serious) Adverse Events |
||||
Active Intervention | Placebo | |||
Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | Affected / at Risk (%) | # Events | |
Total | 14/39 (35.9%) | 17/38 (44.7%) | ||
Gastrointestinal disorders | ||||
bloating | 7/39 (17.9%) | 9/38 (23.7%) | ||
diarrhea | 8/39 (20.5%) | 10/38 (26.3%) | ||
abdominal pain | 7/39 (17.9%) | 7/38 (18.4%) | ||
loose stools | 9/39 (23.1%) | 8/38 (21.1%) |
Limitations/Caveats
More Information
Certain Agreements
Principal Investigators are NOT employed by the organization sponsoring the study.
There is NOT an agreement between Principal Investigators and the Sponsor (or its agents) that restricts the PI's rights to discuss or publish trial results after the trial is completed.
Results Point of Contact
Name/Title | Jeffrey E. Terrell |
---|---|
Organization | University of Michigan |
Phone | 734 936 7633 |
terrelj@umich.edu |
- HUM00006212