ISRCTN ISRCTN16168569
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16168569
EudraCT/CTIS number 2017-000893-12
Secondary identifying numbers 8302
Submission date
06/03/2017
Registration date
24/03/2017
Last edited
13/03/2024
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Ear, Nose and Throat
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English Summary

Background and study aims
A deviated septum is a condition where the thin wall separating the nostrils (nasual septum) is off-center or crooked (deviation). Most people only have a minor deviation, but it can lead to difficulty breathing, snoring and a blocked nose. A septoplasty is a type of operation that corrects a deviated septum by removing excess bone and cartilage to straighten the septum and nasal passages. Like any operation, there is a risk of complications. Most patients need to take at least 5 days off work or usual activities after the operation. Some patients seem not much better after the surgery. Practice varies around the country, and there is no good evidence about this operation or its alternatives, or about who might benefit most from treatment, to inform help patients and doctors decide when it should be carried out. The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness septoplasty or non-surgical care (medical management), which consists of nasal sprays in the management of adults with deviated septums.

Who can participate?
Adults with have a deviated septum.

What does the study involve?
Participants are randomly allocated to one of two groups. Those in the first group are treated surgically using a septoplasty procedure. Those in the second group are given a six month supply of two different nasal sprays, each to use twice daily. At the start of the study and then again after six and 12 months, participants in both groups complete a number of questionnaire in order to assess their quality of life, nasal symptoms and how much they are using health care services as well as a test to measure how well they are breathing through their noses.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants may benefit from improvement in symptoms of nasal blockage, sleep disturbance and congestion/headache if these symptoms are related to blocked nose due to a deviated septum. For participants who receive the nasal spray, there is a risk of bleeding or irritation in the nose. For those who receive surgery, there is a risk of general complications from surgery, including minor bleeding, discomfort (common), heavy bleeding, temporary numbness of central upper teeth, hole in the septum (perforation) and cosmetic change in the appearance of nose (rare).

Where is the study run from?
Freeman Hospital (lead centre) and 15 other NHS hospitals in England, Scotland and Wales (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2017 to June 2021

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research, Health Technology Assessment Programme (UK)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Sean Carrie (scientific)
2. Dr Katherine Rennie (public)
nairos.trial@newcastle.ac.uk

Study website

Contact information

Dr Sean Carrie
Scientific

Freeman Hospital
High Heaton
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE7 7DN
United Kingdom

Dr Katherine Rennie
Public

Newcastle University Clinical Trials Unit
Newcastle University
1-4 Claremont Terrace
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE2 4AE
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0003-1703-3768
Phone +44 (0)191 208 2519
Email nairos.trial@newcastle.ac.uk

Study information

Study designMulti-centre randomized controlled trial with qualitative process and economic evaluation
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designRandomised controlled trial
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet.
Scientific titleMulticentre RCT to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of septoplasty compared with non-surgical strategy in the management of nasal septal deviation in adult patients with nasal airway obstruction in the presence of a deviated nasal septum, what is effectiveness of septal surgery with turbinate reduction compared with 6 months’ topical nasal treatment in improving nasal symptoms
Study acronymNAIROS
Study hypothesisThe aim of this study is to determine whether and to what extent septoplasty is superior to medical treatment in the management of adult patients with nasal obstruction in the presence of a septal deviation.
Ethics approval(s)North East – Newcastle & North Tyneside 2 Research Ethics Committee, 31/08/2017, ref: 17/NE/0239
ConditionDeviated septum
InterventionPatients will be randomised to one of two groups in a 1:1 ratio using a variable block stratified design stratified by severity (baseline self-report NOSE category – moderate 30-50; Severe 55-75; extreme 80-100) and gender.

Surgery: Participants will undergo septoplasty and turbinate reduction

Medical management: Participants receive medical management, which will comprise of regular use of a nasal saline spray (sterimar) followed by a fluorinated steroid spray Mometasone for 6 months.

All patients will be followed up at 6 and 12 months post randomisation.
Intervention typeMixed
Primary outcome measurePatient reported assessment of nasal and general symptoms is assessed using the SNOT 22 questionnaire (Sinonasal Outcome Test) at baseline, 6 and 12 months.
Secondary outcome measures1. Objective assessment nasal airflow is measured using rhinospirometry (nasal partitioning ratio and peak nasal airflow measurements) at baseline, 6 and 12 months
2. Quality of life is measured using the Short Form 36 Quality of Life Questionnaire at baseline, 6 and 12 months
3. Health utilisation is measured using a health utilisation questionnaire at baseline, 6 and 12 months
Overall study start date01/03/2017
Overall study end date04/03/2021

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants378
Total final enrolment378
Participant inclusion criteria1. Adults aged ≥18 years with a baseline NOSE score ≥30
2. Septal Deflection visible at naseondoscopy
3. Capacity to provide informed written consent and complete the study questionnaires.
Participant exclusion criteria1. Patients <18 years
2. Patients with a baseline NOSE score <30
3. Any prior septal surgery
4. Systemic inflammatory disease
5. Granulomatosis with poly angiitis
6. Naseondoscopic evidence of unrelated associated pathology eg. adenoid pad, septal perforation, chronic rhinosinusitis indicated by the prescence of polyposis or pus
7. Intranasal recreational drug use
8. Breastfeeding, pregnancy or intended pregnancy
9. Bleeding diathesis
10. Therapeutic anticoagulation
11. Known adverse reactions to general anaesthesia
12. Immunocompromised patients
Recruitment start date01/09/2017
Recruitment end date31/01/2020

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • Scotland
  • United Kingdom
  • Wales

Study participating centres

Freeman Hospital
High Heaton
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE7 7DN
United Kingdom
Aberdeen Royal Infirmary
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZN
United Kingdom
Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham
Mindelsohn Way
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TH
United Kingdom
Bradford Royal Infirmary
Duckworth Lane
Bradford
BD9 6RJ
United Kingdom
Darlington Memorial Hospital
Hollyhurst Road
Darlington
DL3 6HX
United Kingdom
Ninewells Hospital
ENT Department (Ward 26)
Dundee
DD1 9SY
United Kingdom
Monklands Hospital
Monkscourt Avenue
Airdrie
ML6 OJS
United Kingdom
Leeds General Infirmary
Great George Street
Leeds
LS1 3EX
United Kingdom
Aintree Hosptial
Lower Lane
Liverpool
L9 7AL
United Kingdom
Royal Gwent Hospital
Cardiff Road
Newport
NP20 2UB
United Kingdom
Cumberland Infirmary
Newtown Road
Carlisle
CA2 7HY
United Kingdom
Derriford Hospital
Derriford Road
Plymouth
PL6 8DH
United Kingdom
Salisbury District Hospital
Odstock Road
Salisbury
SP2 8BJ
United Kingdom
Wrightington Hospital
Hall Lane
Appley Bridge
Wigan
WN6 9EP
United Kingdom
Guy's Hospital
Great Maze Pond
London
SE1 9RT
United Kingdom
Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital
Colney Lane
Norwich
NR4 7UY
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

Newcastle Upon Tyne NHS Foundation Trust
Research organisation

Newcastle Joint Research Office
Regent Point
Regent Farm Road
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE3 3HD
United Kingdom

Website http://www.newcastlejro.org.uk/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/05p40t847

Funders

Funder type

Government

National Institute for Health Research
Government organisation / National government
Alternative name(s)
National Institute for Health Research, NIHR Research, NIHRresearch, NIHR - National Institute for Health Research, NIHR (The National Institute for Health and Care Research), NIHR
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/10/2021
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planFindings will be presented at international academic meetings and published in peer-reviewed journals. Publication of the results of the study will follow CONSORT guidelines for reporting clinical trials and NIHR guidance on communication research outcomes. Findings will also be distributed via ENTUK and ENT Scotland, and via primary care networks and conferences – including meetings of the Royal College of General Practitioners. The Royal Society of Medicine’s Sections also have a good track record of multidisciplinary meetings where the implications of NAIROS might usefully be discussed. The results will also be publicised in national media, with the aid of press releases from the Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust and Newcastle Universities. The domain name www.nairos.com has been purchases and will be used as a means of retaining stakeholder engagement and, thereafter, publicising the results.
IPD sharing planThe current data sharing plans for the current study are unknown and will be made available at a later date.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Protocol article protocol 13/02/2020 17/02/2020 Yes No
Basic results 17/12/2021 16/06/2022 No No
HRA research summary 28/06/2023 No No
Results article 18/10/2023 19/10/2023 Yes No
Results article 13/03/2024 13/03/2024 Yes No

Editorial Notes

13/03/2024: Publication reference added.
19/10/2023: Publication reference added.
16/06/2022: EU Clinical Trials Register results added.
04/11/2021: The study contact emails have been updated and the plain English summary has been updated accordingly.
04/03/2021: The overall end date was changed from 30/06/2021 to 04/03/2021.
10/11/2020: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The overall end date was changed from 30/11/2020 to 30/06/2021.
2. The recruitment end date was changed from 30/04/2019 to 31/01/2020.
3. The total final enrolment was added.
4. The participant information sheet was changed from No participant information sheet available to Not available in web format, please use the contact details to request a patient information sheet.
5. The plain English summary was updated to reflect these changes.
17/02/2020: Publication reference added.
24/04/2018: The contact details were updated.
04/09/2017: Ethics approval information has been updated.