Sinonasal inhalation of dornase alfa administered by vibrating aerosol to cystic fibrosis patients: A double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial

Abstract Background Chronic rhinosinusitis significantly impairs CF patients' quality of life and overall health. The Pari-Sinus™ device delivers vibrating aerosol effectively to paranasal sinuses. After a small pilot study to assess sinonasal inhalation of dornase alfa and placebo (isotonic saline) on potential sinonasal outcome measures, we present the subsequent prospective double-blind placebo-controlled crossover-trial. Methods 23 CF patients were randomised to inhale either dornase alfa or isotonic saline for 28 days with the Pari-Sinus™ and after 28 days (wash-out) crossed over to the alternative treatment. The primary outcome parameter was primary nasal symptom score in the disease-specific quality of life Sino-Nasal Outcome-Test-20 (SNOT-20: nasal obstruction/sneezing/runny nose/thick nasal discharge/reduced smelling). Results Primary nasal symptoms improved significantly with dornase alfa compared with no treatment, while small improvements with isotonic saline did not reach significance. SNOT-20 overall scores improved significantly after dornase alfa compared with isotonic saline (p = 0.017). Additionally, sinonasal dornase alfa but not isotonic saline significantly improved pulmonary function (FEF75–25 : p = 0.021). Conclusion Vibrating sinonasal inhalation of dornase alfa reduces rhinosinusitis symptoms in CF.