The effectiveness of propolis nasal irrigation in symptom reduction in chronic rhinosinusitis patient

Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is defined as the presence of nasal mucosa and paranasal sinuses inflammation, include facial pain or pressure, as well as a reduction or loss of sense of smell, lasting longer than 12 weeks. Various solutions for CRS have been tested as nasal irrigation, there have been no studies evaluating the use of propolis as an irrigation agent. This study evaluates the effectiveness of propolis nasal irrigation as an adjunct treatment in chronic rhinosinusitis patients while continuing the main treatment. This study is a prospective, randomised controlled trial involving patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis. Each patient was instructed to irrigate their nose using saline and propolis solution prepared twice a day for four weeks. Outcome measures included the Efficacy Assessment Score (EAS), the Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire, and the Modified Lund Kennedy (MLK) score. Propolis irrigation showed improvement in CRS symptoms including nasal congestion ( p = 0.007), rhinorrhoea, and nasal itching ( p < 0.05), as well as SNOT-22 ( p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences at the end of the study in the total SNOT-22 and MLK scores between the right and left nostrils among the groups ( p = 0.849 and p = 0.278). Only the discharge component in the MLK score showed a significant improvement in the propolis group ( p = 0.073), indicating a selective but meaningful therapeutic effect of reducing the discharge production and thinning the discharge consistency. Overall, this study shows that, as compared to saline, propolis nasal irrigation significantly and statistically improves a few chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms.