Compared to the standard management options, Doxycycline enhances the postoperative outcomes in patients battling refractory Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP), an exciting finding from a recent study, led by Dr. Do Hyun Kim and his team published in ‘European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology’ described.

Researchers conducted an extensive search across 6 databases, gathering data up to September 2023 to compare the effects of Doxycycline (tetracycline antibiotic) against standard management in individuals with refractory CRSwNP. Their analysis focused on assessing improvements in symptoms of refractory chronic sinusitis between Doxycycline-treated and control groups.

Doxycycline therapy resulted in reducing recurrent polyposis and inflammation among CRSwNP patients. Specifically, Doxycycline administration led to significant reductions in key parameters such as the Lund-Kennedy (LK) score, nasal polyposis score, patient-reported Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT) score, and nasal obstruction score.

Also found was a remarkably lower extent of nasal polyps during Doxycycline treatment at different time points (at the end of treatment, and 4 and 8 weeks’ post-treatment. Moreover, improvements in LK scores were noted during treatment and at the end of the regimen. The SNOT score demonstrated a decreasing trend over time in the treatment group, indicating sustained relief from sinonasal symptoms. Nasal congestion also showed notable improvement during treatment and persisted 4 weeks afterwards.