[Clinical study on 40 cases of inflammatory pathologies of upper respiratory and digestive tract treated by inhalatory crenotherapy].

Objectives: Authors present beneficial effects of crenotherapy on 40 patients suffering from inflammatory mucosal conditions of upper respiratory-digestive tract (URDT).

Materials And Methods: Our study was realized at the hydrothermal premises in Telese Terme (BN, Italy). Subjects selected for this study are 40 patients (22 males and 18 females) aged 20-68 years (mean 38.6 years) who suffered from catarrhal and inflammatory mucosal diseases of URDT. The patients, who are informed about the modalities of the study, undergo E.N.T. examination and nasal mucosal brushing for cytologic analysis before and after crenotherapy.

Results: At the end of the therapeutic course we observed a relevant improvement of clinical indicators and of mucociliary transport time in URDT. Moreover, a satisfactory control of local inflammation is highlighted by a rhinocytogram, performed after crenotherapy and showing an increase in plasma cells, a decrease in granulocytes and a normalization of mucous secretion (nasal mucosal histology).

Conclusions: Our study shows that sulphurous waters are particularly effective in anti-catarrhal and anti-inflammatory therapy of URDT.