Randomised Controlled Trial of Salt Solution (Sodium Chloride) Mouth Wash vs Thymol Glycerine Usage in Sore Throat with Non Bacterial Pharyngitis

Backgrounds: Sore throat is one of the most common reasons for visits to the hospital. While most patients with sore throat have an infectious cause (pharyngitis), either bacterial or viral infection, fewer than 20 per cent have a clear indication for antibiotic therapy.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the patient’s clinical outcome after using a salt solution (sodium chloride) and thymol glycerine mouth wash in the evaluation of sore throat patient with non bacterial pharyngitis.

Methods: This was a randomized clinical trial, in which 100 patients who had non-bacterial pharyngitis were divided into two groups: those who gargled a salt solution (sodium chloride 3%) and those who gargled a thymol solution. A sore throat questionnaire was filled out 1 week later.

Results: Demographically, the results showed that there were significant differences between the two groups with regard to gender. However, there was no significant difference in age of the patients. A significant difference was observed between the two groups in term of sore throat pain scale, difficulty swallowing scale and swollen throat scale. All p-value are <0.001.

Conclusion: Gargling a salt solution, a natural, and harmless substance, can reduce the pain and other symptom of sore throat in patients with non-bacterial pharyngitis.