Eficacia del tratamiento osteopático en la rinosinusitis crónica del adulto

Abstract

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis is one of the most common chronic diseases in the general population. In the last few years, the clinical criteria for its diagnosis, as well as its impact on patients’quality of life, have been described. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in adults with chronic rhinosinusitis. Material and methods: We included three women (corrected age 28.17 ± 3.06 years), with craniofacial pain and a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis. The outcomes analyzed were two specific questionnaires for diagnosis and quality of life in rhinosinusitis [Sinonasal Assessment Questionnaire(SNAQ-11) and Rhinosinusitis Task Force (RTF)], a visual analog scale (VAS) for craniofacial pain, and pressure algometry in the frontal and maxillary sinuses. This case series followed a multiple baselineBAABAB (B = no treatment and A = treatment session), in which all patients were evaluated seven times and received three osteopathic treatment sessions (preceding “A” periods). A repeated measuresanalysis was performed with Friedman’s test for related samples. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found in all the variables analyzed after the applicationof osteopathic treatment. Values of the specific questionnaires for rhinosinusitis decreased signifi-cantly for symptoms and quality of life [SNAQ-11 (61.97%) p = 0008; RTF (66.80%) p = 0007]. The VAS for craniofacial pain decreased by 70.21% (p = 0008). Lastly, significant differences were alsofound in the algometric pressure of all the sinuses, with the perception of pressure pain threshold increasing between 25.52% (left frontal) and 68.38% (left maxillary). Conclusions: There is evidence of the effectiveness of osteopathic treatment in chronic rhinosinusi-tis with the use of local and distant techniques. This effectiveness was significant from the first treatment session. The results showed a significant reduction in craniofacial pain after global osteopathictreatment in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. These results were positive up to 2 weeks after the third treatment session. Osteopathic treatment, preceded by and in accordance with a comprehensive diagnosis, improved quality of life in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, evaluated by two specificquestionnaires (SNAQ-11 and RTF). Osteopathic treatment could be a therapeutic alternative beforesurgery and could even avoid surgery. This finding should be analyzed in greater depth in future stu-dies