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Potential blood test for chronic sinusitis identified
Date:4/14/2008

A protein profile has been identified in the blood of chronic sinusitis sufferers that may enable physicians to objectively diagnosis and treat the disease, researchers say.

They used a sophisticated research tool that rapidly assesses expression of large numbers of proteins and found among 96 chronic sinusitis patients a profile missing in 38 healthy controls.

We can diagnose this disease with a totally objective test that does not depend on symptoms or observations, says Dr. Stilianos E. Kountakis, vice chair of the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery in the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine. He is corresponding author on the study published in the March/April issue of American Journal of Rhinology.

Diagnosing this chronically irritating disease, characterized by dripping noses, sinus pressure, congestion and difficulty breathing, currently is rather subjective. Patients talk about symptoms and doctors look at their sinuses with an endoscope and probably a computerized tomography scan. (O)verall management of (chronic sinusitis) is still hampered by the lack of quantifiable, molecular and genetic markers to aid in screening, researchers write.

To be classified chronic, the misery has to continue for at least 12 weeks. Causes include bacterial infections, respiratory inflammation, sinus polyps and mucosal disease. Some causes, such as polyps and asthma, have a genetic predisposition. You may have a bacterial infections, allergies, mechanical problems, Dr. Kountakis says. There are numerous genes that control respiratory function. Any of these things can go wrong to predispose the patient to develop chronic sinusitis.

Treating it isnt much more straightforward. Surgery can help correct anatomical causes such as deviated septums or polyps. However, there are no FDA-aproved drugs specifically to treat chronic sinusitis. Instead, physicians use drugs that treat symptoms: steroid spray
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Contact: Toni Baker
tbaker@mcg.edu
706-721-4412
Medical College of Georgia
Source:Eurekalert  

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Potential blood test for chronic sinusitis identified
Potential blood test for chronic sinusitis identified