Using Intranasal Corticosteroids and Oral Antihistamines to Treat Allergic Rhinitis: A Comparison of The Mean Total Nasal Symptom Score

Arshad Ullah  Afridi; Rabia Zaman  Khan; Umair  Wahab; Ali  Nasir; Zubair  Ahmed; Sarwat  Iqbal

doi:10.29054/apmc/2023.1449

Arshad Ullah Afridi Associate Professor, Department of ENT, Shalamar Medical & Dental College/Shalamar Hospital, Lahore Pakistan
Rabia Zaman Khan Assistant Professor, Department of ENT Unit I, Fatima Jinnah Medical University, Lahore Pakistan
Umair Wahab Assistant Professor, ENT Unit I, Fatima Jinnah Medical University / Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore Pakistan
Ali Nasir Senior Registrar, Department of ENT, Fatima Memorial Hospital, Lahore Pakistan
Zubair Ahmed Senior Registrar, Department of ENT, Sheikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore Pakistan
Sarwat Iqbal Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Shalamar Medical & Dental College/ Shalamar Hospital, Lahore Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29054/apmc/2023.1449

Keywords: Allergic rhinitis, Management, Intranasal corticosteroids, Oral anti-histamine, Total nasal symptom score

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a global public health issue. The disease is a leading cause of death and disabilities globally. Objective: To compare the mean total nasal symptom score using intranasal corticosteroids with oral anti-histamine in management of allergic rhinitis. Study Design: Randomized controlled trial. Settings: Department of ENT, Shalamar Medical and Dental College/ Shalamar Hospital, Lahore Pakistan. Duration: 1^st January 2023 to 30 June 2023. Methods: 100 cases equally divided in two groups A&B, Intranasal corticosteroids were administered in Group A and oral anti-histamine in Group B cases, The final evaluation was done after 4 weeks of treatment. Results: Comparison of mean total nasal symptom score using intranasal corticosteroids with oral anti-histamine in management of allergic rhinitis shows that 1.51 ± 0.37 score in Group-A and 1.27 ± 0.11 score in Group-B, (p-value < 0.05). Conclusion: We found that the use of intranasal corticosteroids resulted in a substantially reduced mean total nasal symptom score compared to the use of oral anti-histamine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.