WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Researchers from Brigham and Women's Hospital have shown that patients with chronic sinus infections do not appear to develop individual resistance to antibiotics when diagnosed and treated using a targeted approach.

These findings will be published in the October 2004 issue of The Archives of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

Antibiotic resistance has emerged as a major public health threat, prompting leading groups such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Food and Drug Administration to launch a national campaign to reduce excessive prescribing and over-use of antibiotics.

"Because sinus infections are so prevalent and it is the fifth most common diagnosis for which antibiotics are prescribed, our patients are a key area of concern," said Dr. Neil Bhattacharyya, an otolaryngologist at BWH and lead author.

"This study was designed to help determine how great a risk antibiotic resistance was among chronic sinus patients to determine if there is a need to reevaluate how we diagnose and treat the condition.

Interestingly, our research shows that patients suffering from chronic sinus infections may be able to lower their rate and likelihood of antibiotic resistance if a careful and strict approach to care is followed." According to the Sinus and Allergy Health Partnership (SAHP), approximately 31 million Americans have a sinus infection each year with approximately 20 million Americans experiencing a chronic problem (CRS) during their lifetimes. Sinusitis is more prevalent than arthritis and hypertension and, when chronic, sinusitis can be as equally debilitating as diabetes and heart disease.

Carolyn Susman writes for the Palm Beach Post. E-mail: carolyn-susman@pbpost.com Editor Notes:Story Filed By Cox Newspapers For Use By Clients of the New York Times News Service

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