The impact of treatment under subterraneotherapy conditions at the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine Health Resort on the symptoms of diseases of the nose and paranasal sinuses

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis is an important disease of the upper respiratory system which substantially reduces patient quality of life and the methods of symptomatic treatment are tremendously limited. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the next therapeutic option which is a combination of respiratory rehabilitation and subterraneotherapy. Material and methods: The study covered 57 patients of whom 15 were men and 42 women. The average age of patients was 60 +/- 10.87 (standard deviation). 44 patients finished 15 days of therapy which covers full-time treatment. The average age of these patients was 59.7 +/- 11.6 (standard deviation). Results: In the study group, there was a statistically significant reduction among all analyzed symptoms of chronic rhinosinusitis. The general severity of symptoms decreased from 5.66 cm to 2.57 cm (p < 0.001), blockade/congestion of the nose from 5.49 to 2.23 cm (p < 0.001), anterior nasal discharge from 5.33 cm to 2.5 cm (p < 0.001), posterior nasal discharge from 6.04 cm to 2.71 cm (p < 0.001), facial pain/pressure from 3.43 cm to 1.45 cm (p < 0.001), headache from 3.73 cm to 1.19 cm (p < 0.001) and reduction or loss of smell from 4.17 cm to 1.94 cm (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Such a notable improvement in all analyzed symptoms led us to conclude that respiratory rehabilitation, especially such conducted in adequate climatic conditions, should be a valuable therapeutic option in the symptomatic treatment of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis.