Preventing Frequent Sinus Infections in HIV-Infected Patients

Sinusitis is common among HIV-infected patients and is likely to be recurrent or refractory to traditional therapy, particularly in patients with advanced immunosuppression. An intervention aimed at prevention of recurrent sinus disease in HIV-infected patients appears to be warranted.

Patients receive 21-42 days of antibiotic therapy for the defining episode of sinusitis. Following discontinuation of antibiotics, screening evaluations are performed. Within 7 days following completion of antibiotics, patients with clinical resolution begin 14 +/- 3 days of decongestant therapy with oral Deconsal II, a drug combining pseudoephedrine, a decongestant, and guaifenesin, an expectorant. Following decongestant therapy, patients undergo entry evaluations, including nasal endoscopy and sinus radiograph. Patients with continued clinical resolution and no purulence on endoscopy are then randomized to receive decongestant alone or in combination with nasal steroid (beclomethasone dipropionate) or antibiotic (cefuroxime axetil) or both. Treatment continues for a minimum of 52 weeks and a maximum of 104 weeks. Patients are followed at weeks 4, 8, and 12 and every 8 weeks thereafter.