A Comparative Study of Symptoms, Nasal Eosinophilia and Pulmonary Function Tests Before and After Short Term Treatment with Corticosteroid Nasal spray in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Published Date: 08th November 2022

Publication Authors: Pai KM, Pai HS

Abstract
Allergic rhinitis has been on the rise because of urbanization and major population shift in addition to changes in the particulate matter in the atmosphere. Intranasal corticosteroid sprays are recommended as first-line prescription treatment in all cases of allergic rhinitis. The propensity of co-existing non-apparent lower airway hyper-responsiveness is also on the rise and must be evaluated. The aim of this study is to compare the symptomatic improvement, changes in nasal eosinophilia and asymptomatic airway hyper responsiveness before and after short term treatment with steroid nasal spray. Fifty patients meeting the inclusion criteria for allergic rhinitis with no symptoms of asthma underwent pulmonary function tests and assessment of symptoms before and after one-month treatment with inhalational steroid nasal spray (Fluticasone Furoate), in the standard adult dosage. Based on TNSS (Total nasal symptom score) and TOSS (Total ocular symptom score), all 50 patients showed significant improvement after treatment. Among 20 patients with > 50 eosinophils per high power field, 80% had 0–10 eosinophils per high power field on nasal smear after treatment. Among 40 patients with mild large airway obstruction, 37 showed significant improvement in FEV1 data. Also FEV1/FVC data showed significant improvement. Significant improvement (FEF25–75 > 50%) was also noticed in small airway disease after treatment among the 5 patients. The study showed that lower airway hyper responsiveness coexists with allergic rhinitis and treating allergic rhinitis with just steroid nasal spray assists in reducing the former, supporting the concept of Unified Airway Disease (UAD).

 

Pai, K.M; Pillai, S; Pai, H.S; Shetty, S. (2022). A Comparative Study of Symptoms, Nasal Eosinophilia and Pulmonary Function Tests Before and After Short Term Treatment with Corticosteroid Nasal spray in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis. Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. 74(Suppl 2), pp.1001-1008. [Online]. Available at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12070-020-02034-1 [Accessed 20 February 2023]

 

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