Quick Study

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

FIBROMYALGIA

Exercise appears to help ease the pain.

THE QUESTION When medication doesn't relieve the chronic pain of fibromyalgia, might exercise help?

THIS STUDY randomly assigned 207 women who were taking medication for fibromyalgia to do aerobic and flexibility exercises, to do strength training as well as the exercises, to participate in an educational program that teaches self-management of the condition, or to do the exercises and educational program. The women exercised in a group for 60 minutes two days a week and one more day on their own. For the educational program, a seven-session standardized course offered by the Arthritis Foundation, the women met for two hours every other week. They could continue taking all medications. After four months, women in all groups that did exercise reported less pain and fatigue and improvements in emotional health and ability to function that averaged 25 percent, compared with no gains in the education-only group. Those who exercised were also more confident of their ability to do a task; this feeling of self-efficacy declined among the others.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? Women with fibromyalgia, which affects up to one in 50 people in the United States -- about 90 percent of them women, most middle-aged. The cause of the condition, characterized by muscular pain, tender spots on the body and fatigue, is unknown.

CAVEATS The women assessed their own progress after treatment. About a third of the participants did not complete the study. The study did not include a group that received no treatment.

FIND THIS STUDY Nov. 12 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

LEARN MORE ABOUT fibromyalgia at http://www.niams.nih.gov and http://www.rheumatology.org/public.

SINUSITIS

Saline irrigation seems to work better than spray.

THE QUESTION Sinus problems often linger or return, even when medication is taken. Might a saline spray or irrigation treatment help?

THIS STUDY randomly assigned 127 adults with such chronic nasal and sinus symptoms as stuffiness, dryness, congestion and discharge to treat their condition twice a day with one of two saline solutions -- either a nasal spray (Deep Sea) or nasal irrigation (Sinus Rinse). Participants could continue taking sinus medication. After two months, both groups reported less-severe and less-frequent symptoms. Their rating of symptoms on a 100-point scale showed, on average, a 15-point decline (indicating improvement) for the irrigation group, compared with an eight-point decline for those using the nasal spray. About 40 percent of the irrigation group said their symptoms occurred often, compared with 61 percent of the nasal spray group (down from 93 and 95 percent, respectively). Virtually no differences in medication use were found between the groups. Side effects such as nasal drainage were reported by 43 percent of the irrigation group and 25 percent of the others.

WHO MAY BE AFFECTED? People with chronic sinus problems. More than 30 million people in the United States are thought to develop a sinus infection each year, although experts believe the number may be much higher because symptoms can be similar to those of colds and allergies, complicating diagnosis and treatment.

CAVEATS Participants had a variety of nasal and sinus symptoms, and the study did not determine their underlying causes or whether the treatment methods affected them differently. The study was funded by NeilMed Pharmaceuticals, which makes Sinus Rinse. The study did not include a group that received no treatment.

FIND THIS STUDY November issue of Archives of Otolaryngology -- Head & Neck Surgery.

LEARN MORE ABOUT sinusitis at http://www.entnet.org (click on "Health Info") and http://www.nationaljewish.org (click on "Disease Information").

-- Linda Searing

The research described in Quick Study comes from credible, peer-reviewed journals. Nonetheless, conclusive evidence about a treatment's effectiveness is rarely found in a single study. Anyone considering changing or beginning treatment of any kind should consult with a physician.