This is the first study to give population-based estimates of rheumatic diseases in Lebanon. The high burden calls for public health attention for early detection, control and prevention of these conditions. Point prevalence of individual diseases was within the range of results from other COPCORD surveys with some variations that can be attributed to differences in methodology and geo-ethnic factors.

This study aimed at observing the efficacy of mometasone fuorate monohydrate nasal spray on obstructive adenoids in children and identifying the characteristics of responders using a pilot study including children aged 2-11 years, with evidence of more than 50 % obstruction. Allergic rhinitis and nasal obstruction were evaluated on baseline (V0), 6- (V1), and 12-week (V2) visits. Degree of obstruction was evaluated by nasopharyngoscopy at V0 and V2. Subjects received 100 μg mometasone fuorate daily. Results were compared with those of a matching control group. Nineteen children (8 females, 11 males; 2.25-8.50 years old, mean 4.24 years, median 4.00 years) completed treatment and follow-up adequately. There was 58 % reduction in a clinical score assessing the severity of adenoidal obstruction (P < 0.05), 56 % reduction in severity of obstructive symptom (P < 0.05), and 75 % reduction in allergic rhinitis score (P < 0.05) between V0 and V1. No further significant improvement was noticed between V1 and V2. The degree of obstruction dropped from 85 to 61 % as noted on endoscopy (P < 0.05). None in the control group showed spontaneous decrease or resolution of the symptoms. Age of patients, allergic rhinitis score, and severity of the clinical score had no impact on the response parameters. No side effects were observed. Mometasone furoate monohydrate nasal spray appears to be effective in treating children with obstructive adenoids. The effect seems to be independent of the presence of mild intermittent allergic rhinitis, the age of patient, or the severity of symptoms.

No abstract

The short-term positive effect of some intranasal steroids on obstructive adenoids seems to persist in a significant number of patients after the cessation of treatment.

No abstract