OCULAR DISCOMFORT IN PROFESSIONAL POLO-WATER PLAYERS: A PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH TOPICAL HYALURONIC ACID AND GLYCURONATE ENOXOLONE.

AIMS: Professional polo-water athletes are exposed to chlorine in the swimming pool. Chlorine is an irritant agent, so polo-water athletes commonly experience irritative eye symptoms. Hyaluronic acid and glycuronate enoxolone exert anti-inflammatory and cytoprotective activity. Therefore, the present practical experience explored the efficacy and safety of eye drops containing both components. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The current study included 59 professional polo-water athletes. The ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and dry eye-related quality of life (QoL) score (DEQS) questionnaires were used to assess the efficacy. Subjects took the eye drops for one month. The study consisted of a baseline visit (T0) and an end-treatment one (T1). RESULTS: Athletes experienced a significant improvement in symptoms and QoL as assessed by OSDI and DEQS scores (p < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: The present study showed that professional polo-water athletes frequently experience ocular discomfort associated with swimming pool attendance. Eye drops with hyaluronic acid and glycuronate enoxolone can significantly relieve eye symptoms and improve the quality of life in these athletes.

Quail egg homogenate with zinc as adjunctive therapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis: a randomised, controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: Because most available treatments for managing seasonal allergic rhinitis show some side effects without reducing recurrence, natural anti-allergic products could represent an interesting treatment addition. This study aimed to analyse the efficacy and tolerance of quail egg as adjunctive therapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis. METHOD: In a Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials compliant framework, patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were prospectively randomised to receive mometasone nasal spray for four weeks or the same topical corticosteroid therapy plus commercially available oral quail egg and zinc tablets. RESULTS: Forty patients were enrolled. The mometasone + quail egg and zinc tablets group showed a greater reduction in nasal itching, sneezing and total nasal symptom scores than the mometasone nasal spray only group. A higher proportion of participants in the mometasone + quail egg and zinc tablets group had good rhinitis control than in the mometasone nasal spray only group, with no need for rescue medications. CONCLUSION: Despite the need for a further larger study, quail egg preliminarily appears to be an effective adjunct to topical steroid therapy in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Hyperosmia after COVID-19: hedonic perception or hypersensitivity?

OBJECTIVE: COVID-19 has been associated with a wide range of quantitative and qualitative disorders of smell, including hyposmia/anosmia, parosmia, and phantosmia; however, no reports to date have reported hyperosmia as a sequela of SARS-CoV-2 infection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We present two cases of subjective hyperosmia in a South Tyrolean Alps family, occurring within days after recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection with transient anosmia. RESULTS: The subjects, a mother and son, exhibited subjective hyperosmia despite normal objective olfactory testing. During independent assessments, the severity of hyperosmia and specific odors affected were highly correlated, consistent with shared genetic and environmental factors. In contrast, two other family members with COVID-19 had no perceptual distortion and normal recovery of smell. CONCLUSIONS: Subjective hyperosmia after COVID-19 infection exhibited striking similarity in two affected family members, suggesting interaction of environment, genetics, and perception.

Comfort rules for face masks among healthcare workers during COVID-19 spread.

BACKGROUND: The outbreak of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) made imperative the use of protective devices as a source control tool. As there is no definite antiviral treatment and effective vaccine, the only efficient means of protecting and mitigating infectious contagion has been the use of personal protective equipment, especially by healthcare workers. However, masks affect the humidification process of inhaled air, possibly leading to a basal inflammatory state of the upper airways. STUDY DESIGN: This is a single-center observational study conducted at the University Hospital of Catania from April 1, 2020, to June 31, 2020. METHODS: We analyzed the role of protective masks on the elimination of upper airways complaints in healthcare workers of the University Hospital of Catania. We evaluated 277 subjects through a self-administered 17 item questionnaire based on respiratory, work performance and health-related quality of life domains. RESULTS: A higher prevalence of nasal and ocular symptoms, perceived reduced work performance, difficulty in concentrating, and sleep disorders were found. After two weeks adhering to a list of good practices that we recommended, significant reversibility of the symptoms investigated and work performance enhancement were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite clinical complaints related to personal protective equipment, effective amelioration through usage rules is easily obtained. Given the essential use of protective masks, healthcare workers have to adhere to appropriate work and safety prevention rules.

A probiotic mixture in patients with upper respiratory diseases: the point of view of the otorhinolaringologist.

Upper respiratory infections are widespread in clinical practice. Antibiotics are frequently used in the management of patients with airways infection. However, antibiotics can induce intestinal and respiratory dysbiosis that, in turn, worsens respiratory symptoms. Moreover, respiratory infections per se can cause dysbiosis. Consequently, probiotics may counterbalance the disturbed microbiota. The current clinical experience evaluated the efficacy and safety of an oral nutraceutical containing a probiotic mixture with Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion of living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 million living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies delbrueckii LDD01 (200 million living cells), in 2928 outpatients with an upper respiratory infection and treated with antibiotics. Patients took one stick/daily for four weeks. Simultaneously, 2877 patients with an upper respiratory infection and treated with antibiotics were recruited as control. This probiotic mixture significantly diminished the presence and the severity of respiratory symptoms at the end of the probiotic course and, more evidently, after a 3-month follow-up. In conclusion, the current clinical experience suggested that this probiotic mixture may be considered an effective and safe therapeutic option in managing patients with an upper respiratory infection and treated with antibiotics.

Probiotics in the add-on treatment of rhinosinusitis: a clinical experience

Rhinosinusitis (RS) affects the nose and the paranasal sinus and is characterized by nasal and systemic symptoms. It may be classified as acute or chronic, based on duration. Rhinosinusitis may be clinically suspected, but the diagnosis is usually based on the endoscopy. Antibiotic therapy is frequently used for RS patients in clinical practice. However, antibiotics often induce intestinal dysbiosis associated with some clinical problems and respiratory microbiota impairment. The current clinical experience was conducted in patients with pharyngotonsillitis and treated with antibiotics. A one-month course of a probiotic mixture (Abincol® containing Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion of living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 million living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01 (200 million living cells), was prescribed in the Group A, and was compared with no addon treatment, such as the Group B. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0), at the end of antibiotic treatment (T1), at the end of probiotic course (T2), and at the end of 3-month follow-up (T3).

Probiotics in the add-on treatment of laryngotracheitis: a clinical experience.

Laryngotracheitis is a common disease, mainly characterized by dysphonia, cough, and sore throat. The diagnosis is usually based on the clinical ground, and antibiotic therapy is frequently used in clinical practice. However, antibiotics frequently induce intestinal dysbiosis associated with some clinical problems. The current clinical experience was conducted in patients with pharyngotonsillitis and treated with antibiotics. A one-month course of a probiotic mixture (Abincol® containing Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion of living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 million living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01 (200 million living cells), was prescribed in the Group A, and was compared with no add-on treatment, such as the Group B. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0), at the end of antibiotic treatment (T1), at the end of probiotic course (T2), and at the end of 3-month follow-up (T3). Globally, 833 outpatients with laryngotracheitis were enrolled: 425 in Group A and 408 in Group B. All of them were treated with a 7-10-day course of antibiotic therapy. The probiotic mixture reduced the duration of symptoms associated with antibiotic therapy already at the end of the antibiotic cycle. The intergroup comparison showed that probiotic group patients experienced less fever, tiredness, headache, pain, malaise, diarrhea, and nausea (p<0.001 for all) than control patients at T1. The probiotic course reduced the possible clinical relapse, and the use of additional medications at T2 and T3. In conclusion, the present clinical experience demonstrated that a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies delbrueckii, was able to rapidly reduce symptoms associated with antibiotic therapy in patients with laryngotracheitis.

Probiotics in the add-on treatment of pharyngotonsillitis: a clinical experience.

Pharyngotonsillitis is a common disease, mainly characterized by a sore throat. It may be classified as acute or chronic, based on duration. The diagnosis is usually performed on the clinical ground, and antibiotic therapy is frequently used in clinical practice. However, antibiotics frequently induce intestinal dysbiosis associated with some clinical problems. Therefore, probiotics are commonly prescribed in patients treated with antibiotics. The current clinical experience was conducted in patients with pharyngotonsillitis and treated with antibiotics. A one-month course of a probiotic mixture (Abincol® containing Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion of living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 million of living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies delbrueckii LDD01 (200 million of living cells), was prescribed in the Group A, and was compared with no add-on treatment, such as the Group B. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0), at the end of antibiotic treatment (T1), at the end of probiotic course (T2), and at the end of 3-month follow-up (T3). Globally, 1118 outpatients were enrolled. Acute pharyngotonsillitis affected 795 subjects: 396 in Group A and 399 in Group B. Chronic pharyngotonsillitis affected 323 outpatients: 158 in Group A and 165 in Group B. All patients were usually treated with a 7-10-day course of antibiotic therapy. In patients with acute pharyngotonsillitis, the probiotic mixture significantly reduced the duration of all the symptoms (p<0.001 for all), except for the urinary tract infection, associated with antibiotic therapy which was already at the end of the antibiotic cycle (T1). The intergroup analysis showed that patients with chronic pharyngotonsillitis in Group A had significantly less tiredness, pain, and malaise (p<0.001 for all) than patients in Group B at T1. The probiotic course reduced the possible clinical relapse, and the use of additional medications at T2 and T3 in patients with both acute and chronic pharyngotonsillitis. In conclusion, the present clinical experience demonstrated that a probiotic mixture containing Lactobacillus plantarum LP01, Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02, and Lactobacillus delbrueckii, was able to quickly reduce symptoms, possible relapse, and use of additional medications, associated with antibiotic therapy, in patients with both acute and chronic pharyngotonsillitis.

Probiotics in the add-on treatment of otitis media in clinical practice.

Otitis media (OM) affects the middle ear and is typically characterized by earache. OM may be classified as acute (AOM) or chronic (COM), based on symptom duration. OM may be clinically suspected, but the diagnosis is usually confirmed by the otoscopy. Antibiotic therapy is frequently used in clinical practice. However, antibiotics often induce intestinal and respiratory dysbiosis associated with some clinical problems. A one-month course of a probiotic mixture (Abincol® containing Lactobacillus plantarum LP01 (1 billion of living cells), Lactobacillus lactis subspecies cremoris LLC02 (800 million living cells), and Lactobacillus delbrueckii LDD01 (200 million living cells), was prescribed in the Group A, and was compared with no addon treatment, such as the Group B. Patients were evaluated at baseline (T0), at the end of antibiotic treatment (T1), at the end of probiotic course (T2), and at the end of 3-month follow-up (T3).

Comparison of nasal and olfactory functions between two surgical approaches for the treatment of concha bullosa: a randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Concha bullosa may be associated with paranasal sinus infections and nasal obstruction. Middle concha mucosa membranes have olfactory neurofibrils. This study investigated the impact of routinely used concha bullosa surgery techniques - crushing and lateral laminectomy - on nasal and olfactory functions. METHODS: Forty-three adult patients who had undergone surgery for a symptomatic concha bullosa completed the odour test, nasal obstruction visual analogue scale, 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, and peak nasal inspiratory flow test, pre-operatively and three months post-operatively. The pre- and post-operative results within and between the two treatment groups were compared. RESULTS: Intragroup comparison of mean pre- versus post-treatment changes revealed statistically significant findings for the nasal obstruction visual analogue scale, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test, peak nasal inspiratory flow and olfaction tests (all p < 0.05). However, there were no statistically significant changes when comparing the scores between the groups (intergroup comparison). CONCLUSION: Lateral laminectomy and crushing in concha bullosa surgery have no negative effects on olfactory function. Concha bullosa surgery provides positive outcomes regarding nasal complaints in symptomatic patients.

Broser® (bromelain, escin and selenium), oral nutraceutical, monotherapy in patients with inflammatory otorhinolaryngological disorders.

Inflammation is a common pathogenic mechanism involved in many otorhinolaryngological (ORL) disorders. Broser® is an oral nutraceutical currently containing bromelain 100 mg, escin 30 mg, and selenium 42.5 mcg. It could exert a safe and effective anti-inflammatory activity by virtue of these components. Therefore, the aim of the current survey, conducted in clinical practice of 84 Italian ORL centers, was to evaluate its safety and efficacy in the treatment of patients.