An Evaluation of Oxidative Stress With Thiol/Disulfide Homeostasis in Patients With Persistent Allergic Rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy of medical treatment on thiol-disulfide balance despite ongoing allergic stimulation. METHODS: The research design was a prospective observational study that included 35 persistent allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. All patients who were diagnosed with persistent AR were included. A skin prick test was applied to all patients, and the Sino-nasal Outcome Test-22 was used to evaluate sinonasal symptoms. Thiol/disulfide homeostasis balance parameters were measured using a novel automatic and spectrophotometric method and compared statistically. Serum total thiol (TT), native thiol (SH), disulphide (SS), disulphide/native thiol (SS/SH), disulphide/total thiol (SS/TT), and native thiol/total thiol (SH/TT) ratios were measured after the second month of the treatment. RESULTS: The 35 patients included 20 (58%) females and 15 (42%) males. The mean age of the patients was 33.17 ± 9.9 years. Disulphide, SS/SH, and SS/TT ratios decreased significantly after the treatment (P < .05), while SH and SH/TT increased significantly (P < .05). The mean SH measurement increased significantly in the second month (P = .001), but TT mean measurements showed no difference after the treatment (P = .058). The mean SS measurements, on the other hand, decreased significantly in the second month (P = .003). CONCLUSION: Thiol/disulfide homeostasis may be used as a marker to evaluate the efficacy of persistent AR treatments. After the treatment, the increase in SH levels suggested the decrease in oxidative stress, even though allergen exposure continued.

Comparison of two partial middle turbinectomy techniques for the treatment of a concha bullosa.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: To assess the nasal functions, nasal resistance, and olfactory function in middle turbinate surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. METHODS: This prospective controlled study was carried out on patients who underwent laminectomy for aeration of the middle turbinate. Patients participating in the study were divided into two groups-group 1: medial laminectomy (n = 34) and group 2: lateral laminectomy (n = 38). Patients underwent the preoperative visual analogue score, sinonasal outcome test-22 (SNOT-22), peak nasal inspiratory flowmeter, and Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center smell test. All patients were reevaluated 3 months after the operation. RESULTS: The study group comprised 72 consecutive patients. The mean age of the patients was 31.03 ± 9.7, with a range of 17 to 54 years. A total of 47.2 % (n = 34) had medial and 52.8% (n = 38) had lateral laminectomy. Bilateral turbinate intervention was performed in 27.8% (n = 20), whereas unilateral middle turbinate intervention was performed in 72.3% (n = 52). Overall, both groups showed strong significant improvement over time in visual analogue scale results, SNOT-22 scores, peak flowmeter results, and olfactory function between preoperative and postoperative scores (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference between the groups for all parameters (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that medial laminectomy for aeration of the middle turbinate was as effective as lateral laminectomy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1b. Laryngoscope, 125:1062-1066, 2015.