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Non-antibiotic treatments for upper-respiratory tract infections (common cold).

OBJECTIVES: To review the seven Cochrane reviews of non-antibiotic treatment for the common cold. METHODS: Each Cochrane review was read and summarized, and results presented as relative risks and, where possible, numbers needed to treat. RESULTS: The main theme that runs through these Cochrane reviews is the variable quality of the primary studies. In general, the reviewers are fairly cautious about the benefits of any of the treatments other than first-dose decongestants and antihistamine-decongestant combinations. For antihistamines alone, the reviewers were clear about the lack of efficacy except in the high-quality studies in which a global improvement in symptoms was noted. Some studies were statistically significant, but the Cochrane reviewers were guarded about how clinically significant they were. For Echinacea, problems were found with the quality of the studies and the wide range of different forms of this substance. Heated humidified air seemed to be effective in the UK and Israel, but not the USA, making definitive statements about efficacy difficult. Over-the-counter medication for cough seemed to have no documented benefit in children under the age of 5 years. Letosteine (a mucolytic) may be effective in children but is not available in the UK. Bisolvon (a mucolytic) was found to be effective for cough in only one study. For older children and adults, dextromethorphan may be effective (two out of three studies showed benefit), and guiafenesin (an expectorant) showed mixed benefit in two trials. Dexbrompheniramine (a sedating antihistamine)/pseudoephedrine (6 mg/120 mg twice daily for 1 week) was significantly more effective than placebo for severity of cough, whereas, in another study, loratadine (a non-sedating antihistamine)/pseudoephedrine (5 mg/120 mg twice daily for 4 days) did not show any difference between the study groups. Vitamin C may have a small role in preventing the common cold, with possibly a greater role in high-intensity physical activity and sub-arctic conditions. Zinc lozenges seemed to be effective, but the issue of unblinding due to taste was a methodological issue of concern to the reviewers. The benefits and harms are calculated as numbers needed to treat for one person to benefit (NNTB) and numbers needed to treat for one person to harm (NNTH), and were calculated by the author. CONCLUSION: Most non-antibiotic treatments for the common cold are probably not effective. The most promising are dextromethorphan, bisolvon and guiaphenesin for cough, antihistamine-decongestant combinations for a wide range of symptoms, nasal decongestants (at least for the first dose) and possibly zinc lozenges.

Adult↗

The influence of signal variation, bias, noise and effect size on statistical significance in treatment studies of the common cold.

Many groups are working on new and improved methods of common cold treatment that include antivirals, synthetic viral receptor, compounds which block symptom pathways, and combinations of these approaches. Because the common cold syndrome is in large part subjective, symptom measurement remains an important parameter in evaluating the effectiveness of cold treatments. This review examines the features of the experimental and natural cold testing methods that effect recognition of illness signal and influence its variance and strength. Also, the importance of changes in signal variance and in the magnitude of therapeutic effect size as they relate to statistical probability were compared using a symptom data set from young adults with experimental rhinovirus colds.

Adult↗

Vitamin C supplementation and common cold symptoms: problems with inaccurate reviews.

In 1971, Linus Pauling carried out a meta-analysis of four placebo-controlled trials and concluded that it was highly unlikely that the decrease in the "integrated morbidity of the common cold" in vitamin C groups was caused by chance alone (P < 0.00003). Studies carried out since then have consistently found that vitamin C (> or = 1 g/d) alleviates common cold symptoms, indicating that the vitamin does indeed have physiologic effects on colds. However, widespread conviction that the vitamin has no proven effects on the common cold still remains. Three of the most influential reviews drawing this conclusion are considered in the present article. Two of them are cited in the current edition of the RDA nutritional recommendations as evidence that vitamin C is ineffective against colds. In this article, these three reviews are shown to contain serious inaccuracies and shortcomings, making them unreliable sources on the topic. The second purpose is to suggest possible conceptual reasons for the persistent resistance to the notion that vitamin C might have effects on colds. Although placebo-controlled trials have shown that vitamin C does alleviate common cold symptoms, important questions still remain.

Adult↗

Do delayed prescriptions reduce the use of antibiotics for the common cold? A single-blind controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To test the use of a delayed prescription compared with instructions to take antibiotics immediately in patients presenting to family physicians with upper respiratory tract infections (common colds). STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled single-blind study. POPULATION: Subjects were 129 patients presenting with the common cold who requested antibiotics or whose physicians thought they wanted them. All patients were in a family practice in Auckland, New Zealand, consisting of 15 physicians (9 male, 6 female) who had completed medical school between 1973 and 1992. OUTCOMES MEASURED: Outcomes were antibiotic use (taking at least 1 dose of the antibiotic), symptom scores, and responses to the satisfaction questions asked at the end of the study. RESULTS: Patients in the delayed-prescription group were less likely to use antibiotics (48%, 95% CI, 35%-60%) than were those instructed to take antibiotics immediately (89%, 95% CI, 76%-94%). Daily body temperature was higher in the immediate-prescription group. The lack of difference in the symptom score between the 2 groups suggests that there is no danger in delaying antibiotic prescriptions for the common cold. CONCLUSIONS: Delayed prescriptions are a safe and effective means of reducing antibiotic consumption in patients with the common cold. Clarification of patient expectations for antibiotics may result in a lower prescription rate. When the patient demands a prescription, delaying its delivery has the potential to provide gentle education.

Adult↗

Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold.

BACKGROUND: The role of oral vitamin C (ascorbic acid) in the prevention and treatment of the common cold has been a subject of controversy for at least sixty years. Public interest in the topic continues to be high and vitamin C continues to be widely sold and used as a preventive and therapeutic agent for this common ailment. OBJECTIVES: To discover whether oral vitamin C in doses of 200 mg or more daily, reduces the incidence, duration or severity of the common cold when used either as continuous prophylaxis or after the onset of cold symptoms. SEARCH STRATEGY: This updated review added to earlier searches, a full search of the following electronic databases: the Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library Issue 2, 2004); MEDLINE (January 1966 to June 2004); and EMBASE (1990 to June 2004). SELECTION CRITERIA: Papers were excluded if a dose less than 200 mg daily of vitamin C was used; if there was no placebo comparison; if methods of outcome assessment were inadequately described; and if the report did not record any of the three study outcomes (incidence, duration or severity) in sufficient detail to enter into the meta-analysis. Three criteria of study quality were assessed: Jadad scores, placebo distinguish-ability, and allocation concealment. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed trial quality. 'Incidence' of colds during prophylaxis was assessed as the proportion of participants experiencing one or more colds during the study period. 'Duration' was the mean days of illness of cold episodes and 'severity' of these episodes was assessed by days confined indoors, off work or school. or by symptom severity scores. MAIN RESULTS: Twenty-nine trial comparisons involving 11,077 study participants contributed to the meta-analysis on the relative risk (RR) of developing a cold while taking prophylaxis. The pooled RR was 0.96 (95% CI 0.92 to 1.00). A subgroup of six trials that involved a total of 642 marathon runners, skiers, and soldiers on sub-arctic exercises reported a pooled RR of 0.50 (95%CI 0.38 to 0.66). Thirty comparisons that involved 9,676 respiratory episodes contributed to the meta-analysis on common cold duration during prophylaxis . A consistent benefit was observed, representing a reduction in cold duration of 8% (95% CI 3% to 13%) for adult participants and 13.5% (95% CI 5% to 21%) for child participants. Fifteen trial comparisons that involved 7,045 respiratory episodes contributed to the meta-analysis of severity of episodes experienced while on prophylaxis. The pooled results revealed a difference favouring those on vitamin C when days confined to home and off work or school were taken as a measure of severity (p = 0.02), and when restricting to studies which used symptom severity scores (p = 0.16), and for the both measures of severity combined (p = 0.004). Seven trial comparisons that involved 3,294 respiratory episodes contributed to the meta-analysis of cold duration during therapy with vitamin C that was initiated after the onset of cold symptoms, and no significant difference from placebo was seen. Four trial comparisons that involved 2,753 respiratory episodes, contributed to the meta-analysis of cold severity during therapy and no significant difference from placebo was seen.In laboratory studies, differing methods of artificial transmission of virus to vitamin C or placebo treated volunteers in residential experiments gave different results. Volunteers infected by nasal installation showed small or no benefit from vitamin C, whereas a group who were infected more naturally, reported less severe symptom severity scores (p = 0.04). REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: The failure of vitamin C supplementation to reduce the incidence of colds in the normal population indicates that routine mega-dose prophylaxis is not rationally justified for community use. But evidence shows that it could be justified in persons exposed to brief periods of severe physical exercise and/or cold environments. Also, the consistent and statistically significant small benefits on duration and severity for those using regular vitamin C prophylaxis indicates that vitamin C plays some role in respiratory defence mechanisms. The trials in which vitamin C was introduced at the onset of colds as therapy did not show any benefit in doses up to 4 grams daily, but one large trial reported equivocal benefit from an 8 gram therapeutic dose at onset of symptoms.

Administration, Oral↗

Hydrogen peroxide in breath condensate during a common cold.

BACKGROUND: Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in exhaled air condensate is elevated in inflammatory disorders of the lower respiratory tract. It is unknown whether viral colds contribute to exhaled H2O2. AIM: To assess exhaled H2O2 during and after a common cold. METHODS: We examined H2O2 in the breath condensate of 20 normal subjects with acute symptoms of a common cold and after recovery 2 weeks later and, similarly, in 10 subjects without infection. H2O2 was measured with a fluorimetric assay. RESULTS: At the time of infection exhaled H2O2 (median, ranges) was 0.20 microM (0.03-1.2 microM), and this decreased to 0.09 microM (< 0.01-0.40 microM) after recovery (p = 0.006). There was no significant difference in lung function (forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in 1 sec) during and after colds. In the controls, exhaled H2O2 did not change over a 2-week period. CONCLUSIONS: H2O2 in exhaled air condensate is elevated during a common cold, and returns to normal within 2 weeks of recovery in healthy subjects. Hence, symptomatic upper respiratory tract infection may act as a confounder in studies of H2O2 as a marker of chronic lower airway inflammation.

Adult↗

Effect of zincum gluconicum nasal gel on the duration and symptom severity of the common cold in otherwise healthy adults.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies suggest that zinc salts may be effective in treating the common cold. Since rhinovirus infections occur primarily in the nasal cavity, an attempt to arrest the infection at the portal of entry seems logical. AIM: To assess the ability of zinc nasal gel to shorten the duration and reduce the severity of the common cold in healthy adults. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study. METHODS: Of 1087 patients screened by telephone, 80 patients were enrolled, all presenting within 24-48 h of the onset of illness. They received one dose per nostril of a nasal gel spray containing either 33 mmol/l zincum gluconicum, or an identical placebo four times daily until their symptoms resolved, for a maximum of 10 days. RESULTS: Median duration of cold symptoms in the zinc group was significantly shorter than in the placebo group (median [IQR] 4.3 days [2.5-5.5] vs. 6 days [5-8.5], p=0.002). Nasal drainage, nasal congestion, hoarseness, and sore throat were the symptoms most affected. Significant reduction of total symptom scores started from the second day of the study. Adverse effects (mainly nasal stinging) were similar in both groups. DISCUSSION: Zincum gluconicum nasal gel shortens duration and reduces symptom severity of the common cold in healthy adults, when started within 24-48 h of the onset of illness.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Intranasal beclomethasone dipropionate in the treatment of common cold.

Sinusitis is usually considered a complication of viral rhinitis. Virus infections in the upper respiratory tract lead to mucosal swelling, which may obstruct paranasal sinus outflow, resulting in infection in the paranasal sinuses. Topical nasal steroids have been found beneficial in a variety of acute and chronic nasal conditions including allergic and nonallergic rhinitis and chronic rhinosinusitis. The purpose of this study was to examine whether the intranasal inhalation powder beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 400 micrograms/day treatment has a beneficial or harmful effect on symptoms and signs of common cold, and whether or not it can prevent common cold complications. A total of 54 patients were randomized, 26 into the placebo-group and 28 into the BDP group. During the 14-day follow-up, there were on an average 10.3 symptomatic days in the placebo group and 10.7 days in the BDP group (p = 0.72). The use of intranasal BDP in the treatment of common cold neither reduced symptoms caused by inflammation nor did it shorten the recovery time. On the other hand, because BDP does not increase the risk of complications or significantly prolong the recovery during the common cold, there is no need to discontinue its use in the patients with allergic rhinitis or nasal polyposis.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Effect of inhaling heated vapor on symptoms of the common cold.

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of steam inhalation in treating common cold symptoms. DESIGN: An in vitro study determined the temperature that inactivated rhinovirus: a temperature of 43 degrees C lasting at least 1 hour was needed. We then conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized in vivo study. SETTING: The virology laboratory and the outpatient department of the Cleveland (Ohio) Clinic Foundation. PATIENTS: Sixty-eight Cleveland Clinic employee volunteers with symptoms of the common cold at the time of enrollment. INTERVENTION: A single 60-minute treatment was given to the volunteers. The steam treatment group (n = 32) received 40 L/min of heated saturated air that raised the intranasal temperature to 43 degrees C. The placebo group (n = 36) received 2 L/min of ambient air at 20 degrees C to 24 degrees C. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjective symptom scores for nasal congestion, nasal drainage, and sneezing and objective measures of nasal resistance were studied during a 7-day follow-up observation period. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in daily symptom scores between the groups (P = .59 to .83). The only statistically significant differences between the groups were lower nasal resistances at baseline in the steam group (P = .04) and percent improvement in nasal resistance favoring the placebo group on day 7 (P = .01). However, these differences were of questionable clinical significance. CONCLUSION: We conclude that steam inhalation treatment had no beneficial effect on the cold symptoms of our volunteers.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Ipratropium nasal spray: a new treatment for rhinorrhea in the common cold.

A need is often present for symptomatic treatment of the common cold. A blocked nose can be opened by a vasoconstrictor, but no effective therapy is known today for rhinorrhea. The aim of the present trial was to study the effect of the topically active parasympatholytic, ipratropium, on rhinorrhea. In a placebo-controlled group comparative trial, 80 micrograms of ipratropium were taken as a nasal spray 4 times daily for 1 wk by 40 adults with spontaneously occurring common colds. All subjects administered an intranasal vasoconstrictor (xylomethazoline, 0.1%) 5 min before administering placebo or ipratropium. Ipratropium treatment resulted in a significant reduction in nasal discharge compared with that of placebo treatment during the whole treatment period (p less than 0.001), but the drug was especially effective the first 3 days, when the watery secretion was predominant. It was concluded that this new spray can be of value in the first days of a cold, when nasal discharge is a nuisance.

Administration, Intranasal↗

Vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene in relation to common cold incidence in male smokers.

We evaluated the role of dietary vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta-carotene, as well as long-term vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation, on the incidence of common cold episodes. A cohort of 21,796 male smokers was drawn from the Alpha-Tocopherol Beta-Carotene Cancer Prevention Study, which examined the effects of 50 mg per day vitamin E and 20 mg per day beta-carotene on lung cancer. Diet and background characteristics were recorded at the study entry, and subjects were queried three times per year on common cold episodes. We modeled the total number of colds during a 4-year follow-up period with Poisson regression, adjusting for covariates of dietary intake. Dietary vitamins C and E and beta-carotene had no meaningful association with common cold incidence. Long-term vitamin E and beta-carotene supplementation had no overall effect.Among subjects 65 years of age or older, the incidence of colds was slightly lower in the vitamin E group (RR = 0.95; 95% CI = 0.90-1.00); this reduction was greatest among older city dwellers who smoked fewer than 15 cigarettes per day (RR = 0.72; 95% CI = 0.62-0.83). In this male smoking population, vitamins C and E and beta-carotene had no overall association with the incidence of common cold episodes.

Aged↗

A complex homeopathic preparation for the symptomatic treatment of upper respiratory infections associated with the common cold: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: The use of complementary medicines is large and growing in both the United States and Europe. OBJECTIVE: To compare the effects of a complex homeopathic preparation (Engystol; Heel GmbH, Baden-Baden, Germany) with those of conventional therapies with antihistamines, antitussives, and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs on upper respiratory symptoms of the common cold in a setting closely related to everyday clinical practice. DESIGN: Nonrandomized, observational study over a treatment period of maximally two weeks. SETTING: Eighty-five general and homeopathic practices in Germany. PARTICIPANTS: Three hundred ninety-seven patients with upper respiratory symptoms of the common cold. INTERVENTIONS: Engystol-based therapy or common over-the-counter treatments for the common cold. Patients receiving this homeopathic treatment were allowed other short-term medications, but long-term use of analgesics, antibiotics, and antiinflammatory agents was not permitted. Patients were allowed nonpharmacological therapies such as vitamins, thermotherapies, and others. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The effects of treatment were evaluated on the variables fatigue, sensation of illness, chill/tremor, aching joints, overall severity of illness, sum of all clinical variables, temperature, and time to symptomatic improvement. RESULTS: Both treatment regimens provided significant symptomatic relief, and this homeopathic treatment was noninferior in a noninferiority analysis. Significantly more patients (P < .05) using Engystol-based therapy reported improvement within 3 days (77.1% vs 61.7% for the control group). No adverse events were reported in any of the treatment groups. CONCLUSION: This homeopathic treatment may be a useful component of an integrated symptomatic therapy for the common cold in patients and practitioners choosing an integrative approach to medical care.

Adult↗

Allergen challenge-induced acute exudation of IL-8, ECP and alpha2-macroglobulin in human rhinovirus-induced common colds.

Rhinovirus infections cause exacerbations of eosinophilic airway disease. The acute effects of allergen-challenge on nasal interleukin-8 (IL-8), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and alpha2-macroglobulin were examined in atopic subjects with common cold symptoms. Twenty-three patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were inoculated with human rhinovirus 16 outside the pollen season. Diluent and allergen challenges, followed by nasal lavages, were carried out about 3 months before and 4 days after virus inoculation. Seventeen patients developed significant common cold symptoms with increased nasal lavage fluid levels of alpha2-macroglobulin, IL-8, and ECP at baseline (p<0.001-0.05 versus before inoculation), and were further increased by allergen challenge (p< 0.001-0.05); IL-8 and ECP levels were correlated (r = 0.63, p<0.001). Before inoculation, the six patients who later did not develop common cold symptoms had high levels of IL-8 and myeloperoxidase (MPO), and exhibited strong allergen-induced plasma exudation responses (alpha2-macroglobulin). After inoculation, IL-8 and ECP did not increase in these symptomless subjects. In conclusion, high nasal interleukin-8 and myeloperoxidase levels and exudative hyperresponsiveness may protect against infection. The association between nasal interleukin-8 and eosinophil cationic protein in common cold, particularly that observed in nasal lavage fluids after allergen-induced acute exudation of plasma, suggests the involvement of interleukin-8 in exacerbation of airway mucosal eosinophil activity.

Adolescent↗

Treatment of the common cold with troxerutin.

The rutosides are naturally occurring flavonoids that have documented effects on capillary permeability and edema. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of troxerutin, one of the rutosides, on the symptoms of the common cold. Ninety-four volunteers with common cold symptoms were recruited for participation in the study. Volunteers were randomized to either active treatment (n=49) with troxerutin (50 mg) and Zn gluconate (25 mg) or control treatment (n=45) with 10 mg Zn gluconate. Symptoms were assessed by subjective symptom score prior to treatment and then daily for the next 4 days. The total symptom score over the 4 days of study treatment was 27.7+/-2.0 (mean+/-SEM) and 33.0+/-2.6 in the active and control groups, respectively (p=0.10, unpaired t-test). The total daily symptom score on day 1 was reduced by 11% compared to baseline in the active group and by 1% in the control group (p=0.03). Evaluation of the effect of treatment on individual symptoms revealed a significant effect on rhinorrhea. The total rhinorrhea score over the course of the study was 3.7+/-0.4 in the active group compared to 5.1+/-0.5 in the control group (p=0.025, unpaired t-test). Daily rhinorrhea scores were significantly lower in the active group on study days 1 and 3. Based on this preliminary study, the possibility that the rutosides might provide a safe and effective treatment for rhinorrhea in the common cold deserves systematic evaluation.

Administration, Oral↗

Effects of the common cold and intranasal fluticasone propionate treatment on mucosal host defense assessed by human saliva.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to study the effect of a potent topical steroid, fluticasone propionate, on patients with early signs and symptoms of the common cold. To characterize the mucosal inflammatory response, salivary defense factors and flow rate in these patients were analyzed. STUDY DESIGN: Forty patients with symptoms of the common cold were randomized into 2 groups to receive either high-dose fluticasone propionate (100 microg per nostril) or placebo 4 times daily for 6 days. Paraffin-stimulated whole saliva was collected on day 1 (before the onset of medication), day 7 (posttreatment), and day 21 (follow-up). RESULTS: Salivary flow rate, innate host defense factors, and total protein content were not affected by the common cold. IgA increased between day 7 and day 21 (P < or = .01; Student 2-tailed t test), and the relative proportions of salivary peroxidase and IgA increased on day 7 (P = .01) and day 21 (P= .05). In patients receiving fluticasone, saliva flow rate was lower on day 21 (P < or = .05) than on days 1 and 7. The innate salivary defense factors were not affected, but IgA increased both on day 7 (P < or = .001) and on day 21 (P < or = .001) in comparison with day 1. CONCLUSIONS: Of the oral mucosal defense factors, only IgA is activated during the common cold. Intranasally administrated fluticasone propionate does not have a suppressive effect on salivary antimicrobial capacity.

Administration, Intranasal↗

[Clinical evaluation of Olbas oil effect on nasal mucosa in acute rhinitis patients during common cold].

The aim of the study was the clinical evaluation of the effect of Olbas oil on nasal mucosa in patients with acute rhinitis during common cold. 15 patients with 2-3 days history of acute rhinitis during common cold, both sexes, in the age between 23-47 were investigated. All the examinations were done before using, after the first inhalation, and after 7 days of Olbas oil administration. The investigation before using Olbas oil was comprised of: history data, general and otorhinolaryngological examination with particular evaluation of nasal mucosa, anterior rhinomanometry, saccharin translocation time, olfactometry, microbiological cultures, histamine nasal provocation test. At the end, after 7 days of Olbas oil inhalation 3 times a day for 4 minutes 4 drops of Olbas oil applied into a handkerchief, all the test were done again, as at the beginning. The study showed a good of the effect of Olbas oil on nasal mucosa in patients with acute rhinitis during common cold.

Acute Disease↗

Antihistamines and the common cold. A review and critique of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if antihistamines provided clinically significant relief from the symptoms of the common cold. METHODS: Structured literature review following standardized guidelines of primary studies published after 1975. MEASUREMENTS: Improvements in symptom scores for total symptoms and nasal symptoms over the first three days of a common cold. RESULTS: Three of five studies reporting on sneezing found a statistically significant improvement in the antihistamine group; similarly, three of seven studies reporting on nasal discharge found a statistically significant improvement with therapy. No study reported improvement in total symptom score at the level of p < .05. The validity of these findings was weakened by several flaws in the literature such as inattention to clinical significance and functional impact, inappropriate use of statistical tests, and poorly described methodology. The clinical significance of these improvements was not demonstrated. CONCLUSIONS: The primary literature offers little support for the use of antihistamines in the common cold.

Adult↗