Treatment of rhinosinusitis with 1,8-cineole and nasal spray under real- world conditions: influence on the quality of life

Rhinosinusitis is a highly prevalent inflammatory disease of the nose and paranasal sinuses. Typical symptoms, such as nasal obstruction and facial pressure can constitute a significant burden for individuals and therefore impair their quality of life (QoL) [1]. Consequently, patients often seek symptom-relief via over-the-counter medications. Two of these are systemic treatments with 1,8-cineole (the main constituent of eucalyptus essential oil) and topical decongesting nasal sprays. Systemic treatment with 1,8-cineole has previously demonstrated superior symptom improvement compared to a placebo in a controlled clinical trial setting [2].

Here, we present the results of a recent non-interventional study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04703673) investigating the QoL in 350 patients suffering from rhinosinusitis during treatment with 1,8- cineole capsules (Sinolpan​ or Sinolpan​ forte) with or without a nasal decongestant under real-world conditions via an anonymous pharmacy-based survey. Additionally, a comparison was drawn to a group of 40 patients, who used a topical nasal decongestant but not 1,8-cineole. Evaluation of the QoL was assessed with the German version of the validated Rhinosinusitis Quality of Life (RhinQol) questionnaire [3] [4] [5].

Significant improvements in the frequency, bothersomeness, and impact of rhinosinusitis symptoms were observed under treatment with 1,8-cineole. Notably, stronger improvements were made in the cineole group compared to the decongestant group ([Fig. 1]).

Fig. 1 Decreases in frequency, bothersomeness, and impact of rhinosinusitis symptoms upon treatment with 1,8-cineole capsules or nasal spray. Data is presented as mean±SD.

Overall, these results showed that 1,8-cineole treatment of rhinosinusitis was well tolerated and resulted in QoL improvements. The data revealed that the concomitant use of 1,8-cineole and decongesting nasal spray may provide therapeutic benefits such as stronger quality-of-live-improvements as compared to using decongesting nasal spray without 1,8-cineole.

Potential conflicts of interest

This research was funded by Engelhard arzneimittel GmbH & Co. KG, the manufacturer of Sinolpan and Sinolpan forte. RM reports grants and personal fees from Engelhard, during the conduct of the study and is the director and the owner of Clinical Research International Ltd. and of ClinCompetence Cologne GmbH, two contract research organisations focusing on upper airways diseases. L, SB and CS are employees of Engelhard.

• References

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• 5 Petrat T.. Validation of the German version of the RhinoQol questionnaire for evaluation of the quality of life in acute rhinosinusitis. University of Cologne 2020

Publication History

Article published online:
16 November 2023