OBJECTIVE: To describe the management practices of physicians for patients with acute sinusitis admitted in Chong Hua Hospital from January 2003 - June 2006.
STUDY DESIGN: Analytical cross-sectional study with retrospective mode of data collection. Study Setting: Chong Hua Hospital, a 500-bed capacity, privately-owned hospital providing primary, secondary and tertiary level of care in Cebu City.
STUDY POPULATION: Patients admitted to Chong Hua Hospital from January 2003 - June 2006 with discharge diagnosis of acute sinusitis.
METHODS: Charts of patients with the final diagnosis of acute sinusitis admitted in Chong Hua Hospital from January 2003 to June 2006 were reviewed. Data relevant to the objectives of the study were abstracted. These included patient demographic profile, clinical profile (admitting department, symptoms and pertinent physical examination findings upon admission), laboratory profile and medications prescribed.
RESULTS: The median age of patients admitted for acute sinusitis was 33 years (IR, 24 headache, facial pain and tenderness, nasal congestion and post-nasal drip. CBC determination was requested for all patients while transillumination of sinuses was not routinely done. Some patients underwent x-ray of the paranasal sinuses and some were made to undergo CT scan evaluation. Polysinusitis was more common with the maxillary sinus most commonly involved. Most patients were prescribed with antibiotics. Co-amoxiclav, cefuroxime, quinolone and azithromycin were the common options. Reliance on adjunctive therapy was common which involved decongestants with or without antihistamines, antipyretics/analgesics, nasal sprays often with steroid-containing preparations, mucolytics, palin antihistamines and orally administered steroids. None of the patients were managed with steam therapy. Median duration of hospital stay was 3 days (IR, 2 days -4 days). Patients admitted under Internal Medicine had more diagnostic workup and were more often treated with antibiotics and other adjunctive therapy when compared with how patients of the other departments were managed.
LIMITATIONS: The study did not address patient-relevant outcomes and determinants to patterns of care were not evaluated.
CONCLUSION: Practice patterns of physicians caring for patients admitted for acute sinusitis in Chong Hua Hospital include routine CBC and occasionally x-ray of the paranasal sinuses and CT scan. Transillumination of sinuses is not routinely done. Antibiotics are commonly administered with predilection for co-amoxiclav, cephalosporin and quinolone. Adjunctive therapy is common involving decongestants, antihistamines, nasal sprays with or without steroids, mucolytics and analgesics. (Author)

The Filipino Family Physician, 2007 45 (3) pages 122-132