Researchers conducted this study to compare the effects of HS and IS nasal irrigation in treating sinonasal diseases.
Systematic search with Ovid MEDLINE, Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Manual additional sources was conducted. Data were pooled for meta-analyses. Outcomes were symptom scores, SNOT, and adverse events. Subgroup analyses explored heterogeneity.
Nine studies with a total of 740 patients were included. HS nasal irrigation brought more significant benefits over IS in symptom reduction; however, no difference was shown in SNOT-20 improvement. In subgroup analyses, effects favoring HS on symptoms were larger in 4 subgroups. These were patients with rhinitis compared with rhinosinusitis, P < .01; patients under the age of 18 years compared with patients over the age of 18 years, P < .01; saline irrigation using high volume compared with low volume, P < .01; and saline irrigation with hypertonicity of <3% and hypertonicity of 3%–5% compared with hypertonicity of >5%, P < .01. Buffered saline and operative status did not have an impact. HS brought more excellent minor adverse effects. No significant adverse effects were reported.
HS improves symptoms over IS nasal irrigation in treating sinonasal diseases. There is no difference in disease-specific quality of life. However, HS brings more significant minor side effects than IS.
Reference: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1945892418773566
