Potential for Cortisol Suppression With the Use of High Volume Nasal Mometasone Irrigations in Varying Dosages.

In the United States, more than 30 million people are diagnosed with sinusitis each year. Moreover, chronic sinusitis effects approximately 15% of the U.S. population and is one of the most common chronic illnesses in America. Budesonide and mometasone nasal sprays are used to relieve sneezing, runny, stuffy, or itchy nose caused by hay fever or other allergies (caused by an allergy to pollen, mold, dust, or pets).

The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of cortisol suppression with the use of mometasone irrigations in varying doses. Low levels of cortisol can cause weakness, fatigue, and low blood pressure.

In using nasal sprays, a drug may enter the body's circulation through direct local absorption in the nasal mucosa or oral absorption of any swallowed medication. Some people can reduce symptom severity using medication, including antihistamines and anti-inflammatory drugs. Nasal irrigation - the flooding of the sinus cavity with warm saline solution - can help to reduce sinus congestion and is often recommended by otolaryngologists for a variety of sinus conditions. The goal of nasal irrigation is to clear excess mucus and foreign debris out of the sinuses, and to moisturize the mucosal membrane. The practice has been subjected to clinical testing and has been found to be safe and beneficial with no apparent side effects.

The addition of budesonide to nasal irrigations has become common practice in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis. Mometasone has been shown to be an alternative to budesonide with increased local effects and lower absorption by the body. Studies have shown that saline irrigation treatments show greater effects versus saline spray for providing short-term relief of chronic nasal and sinus symptoms.

There is limited data on the use of mometasone in nasal irrigations. Subjects to be included in the study are those with a diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis, with or without nasal polyps and who have had prior endoscopic sinus surgery. This study will test 3 different concentrations of mometasone in a nasal irrigation. Patients will receive either 1 milligram mometasone in their nasal irrigations, 2 milligrams of mometasone, or 4 milligrams of mometasone. The dose assignment will be determined by the treating physician. After 12 weeks of entering this study and use of the mometasone irrigations, there will be a blood draw to compare morning cortisol levels to a baseline blood draw.