Publication:

Comparative study of fluticasone propionate combined with azelastine versus fluticasone propionate alone as nasal spray in allergic rhinitis

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptomatic disorder of the nose induced after allergen exposure due to an IgE-mediated inflammation of membranes lining the nose. Allergic rhinitis is subdivided into intermittent (IAR) or persistent (PER) disease and the severity into mild or moderate/severe. The most widely used and effective medications to treat allergic rhinitis are oral or topical antihistamines and topical nasal steroids.

Methods This prospective case series study included 80 patients of PER divided randomly in to 2 groups of 40 each with group 1 receiving fluticasone propionate and azelastine and group 2 receiving fluticasone propionate alone. Individual symptom scores and total symptom score (TSS) were recorded before treatment and after 4 weeks of treatment.

Results The difference in mean TSS before and after 4 weeks study period were statistically significant in both groups (p<0.01 in both). Group 1 had TSS of 1.525±1.06 and group 2 had TSS of 3.275±1.75 after 4 weeks of treatment and the difference between them was statistically significant (p<0.01).

Conclusions In allergic rhinitis, both fluticasone propionate + azelastine nasal spray and fluticasone propionate nasal spray are effective in relieving symptoms. But, fluticasone propionate and azelastine has significant reduction of symptoms when compared with fluticasone propionate alone.