Abstract: Objective: To explore the curative effect of longterm lowdose clarithromycin for chronic sinusitis. Methods: Longterm lowdose clarithromycin was administered in 63 patients with chronic sinusitis from April 2002 to January 2003. The symptoms, nasal endoscopic examination,CT scan of nasal sinuses and the pathology of sinus mucosa were assessed 3 and 6 months later, and the saccharine transit time (ST) was measured to assess the transporting function of nasal mucosa before and after treatment. Results: The 3 and 6month response rates of stuffy nose, runny nose, headache, sense of smell, nasal endoscopy, CT scan and pathology were 66.7% and 73.0 %, 65.1% and 74.6%, 73.5% and 85.3%, 30.0% and 35.0%, 55.8% and 69.2%, 61.4% and 68.4%, 38.5% and 61.5% respectively. The mean ST was 35.5±6.3 minutes before treatment, and 27.8±6.6 minutes and 19.7±7.1 minutes at the 3rd and 6th months. Conclusion: Lowdose clarithromycin for a long term has a salutary effect on chronic sinusitis patients.

Key words: Sinusitis, Treatment outcome , Clarithromycin