Comparative study between the efficacy of Azelastine-Fluticasone nasal spray combination and Fluticasone nasal spray combined with oral Cetrizine in Allergic Rhinitis

Irinie Georges Makarious Soliman, MBBCH, Alexandria University, EGYPT.Follow
Ahmed Ashraf Salah Elhamshary, Professor and Head of Otorhinolaryngology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, EGYPT.
Mostafa Gomaa Sobhy El Shahat, Lecturer of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, EGYPT.

Article Type

Original Study

Subject Area

Rhinitis and its complication

Abstract

Aim: Comparison between administering intranasal AZE/FLU combination, and the conventionally used oral Cetrizine, with intranasal Fluticasone for Allergic Rhinitis. Methods: A prospective randomized controlled study, where 100 patients were enrolled to two groups; Group A patients received AZE/FLU twice daily, while Group B patients received Fluticasone propionate once daily in the morning PLUS oral Cetrizine at night. Patients recorded nasal and ocular symptoms scores daily in a diary using a clear Arabic printout of VAS score. Pre- and post-treatment scores were collected at regular visits. Results: Regarding progression of symptoms through checkpoints over trial time; on days seven, 14 and 21 (trial end), calculated average VAS scores proved no statistically significant difference when comparing the results of both groups. Comparing the collected data at day seven showed no statistically significant difference between either of the studied groups, denoting that neither of the studied approaches provided significant improvement of quality of life over the other regarding timely symptoms control. Conclusion: Although no significant difference was noted between the two approaches regarding the adequate symptoms control by the end of the first week from trial initiation (denoted by achieving VAS <5/10, signaling improved quality of life), 42% of patients enrolled to the study group A reported VAS <5/10 within seven days of treatment, compared to 32% of patients from the control group B. This proposes that even a non-significant statistical difference cannot contradict a satisfactory real-life noted clinical finding suggesting a clinical preference to a treatment approach that would provide better compliance.

Keywords

Allergic Rhinitis; Oral Antihistamines; Intranasal Antihistamines; Intranasal Steroids; AZE/FLU

Recommended Citation

Soliman I, Elhamshary A, Shahat M, et al. Comparative study between the efficacy of Azelastine-Fluticasone nasal spray combination and Fluticasone nasal spray combined with oral Cetrizine in Allergic Rhinitis. Pan Arab J. Rhinol. 2023; 13 : 57-65.
Available at: https://pajr.researchcommons.org/journal/vol13/iss2/2 DOI: https://doi.org/10.58595/2090-7559.1217