Local allergist among national group that developed guidelines for treatment of Chronic Sinusitis
PHOENIX (January 30, 2007) – Mark Schubert, M.D., Ph.D., an allergist at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center and clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Arizona, is one of 25 national and international medical scientists who contributed to developing new clinical trials guidelines. The guidelines, “Rhinosinusitis: Developing Guidance for Clinical Trials,” were published in the November 2006 supplement of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology’s Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and also in the November 2006 supplement to Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery.
According to medical statistics, more than 200,000 sinus surgeries are performed in the United States each year and billions of dollars are spent per year on antibiotics and treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis – an often recurring combination of congestion, discolored nasal discharge, decreased sense of smell, cough and headache. More than 30 million Americans are affected by rhinosinusitis, a condition with symptoms similar to a sinus infection.
These first clinical trial guidelines – in partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – were designed for researchers working to find the most effective treatments for certain diseases, including acute bacterial sinusitis. Previously, there has not been a guidance document put forth for chronic rhinosinusitis clinical trials.
Dr. Schubert anticipates these guidelines will be standardized around the world to provide researchers with the knowledge needed to ultimately improve patient care, save consumers billions of dollars in surgery and medication costs and provide relief to millions of people.
Dr. Schubert has published extensively on chronic allergic sinus diseases, describing the diagnosis and treatment in 1998 of a common Phoenix metro area sinus disease called allergic fungal sinusitis. He additionally led the team that included St. Louis University scientists, finding one of the key genes that determine susceptibility for various chronic sinusitis disorders. He published this work in 2004.
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Located in downtown Phoenix, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center has been providing medical care since 1911, and is a flagship hospital within Banner Health. Licensed with over 650 inpatient beds, Banner Good Samaritan is a teaching hospital that trains more than 220 physicians annually. Today, nearly more than 1,700 physicians representing nearly 50 specialties work with Banner Good Samaritan staff to provide care to more than 35,000 inpatients each year.
Editors/Reporters: Dr. Schubert is available for interview about these guidelines, as well as allergies and sinus issues.
Contact:
(602) 239-4411
