INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) in patients with chronic sinusitis.

METHODS: In this double-blind, placebocontrolled, multicenter, parallel-group study, 60 patients with persistent sinusitis symptoms were randomized to receive either MFNS 200 μg twice daily or placebo, for 16 weeks (112 days). Eventually, 53 patients terminated the study in regular course.

RESULTS: Total Symptom Scores (TSS) in patients receiving MFNS changed by a mean of -7.27 (95% CI -9.71, -4.84), versus -5.35 (95% CI -6.73, -3.96) in the placebo group (P=0.51). MFNS reduced nasal congestion and discharge scores, and improved patients' olfactory function. There were few side effects. Considerably more patients in the MFNS group were satisfied with the treatment than those who had received placebo (P<0.05). Also, more patients would take the medication again in the event of symptoms, compared with those who had taken placebo (P<0.05). Furthermore, the MFNS patients would recommend it to others.

CONCLUSION: The positive patient assessment and few side effects are reflected in the efficacy evaluation performed by the physicians. The endoscopic results under MFNS were always numerically more favorable than those under placebo, and the overall difference reached statistical significance (P<0.01). MFNS offers an effective and safe treatment for chronic rhinosinusitis.