Publication:

Comparative study of intranasal hypertonic seawater saline versus intranasal normal saline in allergic rhinitis

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a chronic disease with variable response to therapy. Nasal irrigation with saline, including hypertonic saline, has been recommended for sinonasal conditions.

Methods All consecutive patients reporting with AR symptoms established by ARIA at a zonal and tertiary care referral hospital from July 1 to September 30, 2015 were enrolled in the study. Patients were randomly divided into two groups. Patients in Group A were treated with hypertonic seawater saline (HSS) 2.2% Group B with normal saline (NS) 0.9% respectively. Symptoms were assessed at the start of the treatment and after 2 months using 4 point scale.60 patients were included in final analysis.

Results The mean total nasal symptoms post treatment when compared to pre-treatment were low in both the groups [2.19 (pre- treatment) vs. 1.03 (post treatment) in Group A and 2.18 (pre-treatment) vs. 1.46 (post treatment) in Group B] and the difference was statistically significant for both groups (P =0.0001). On comparing post-treatment symptom scores between both groups, Group a benefitted more than Group B and it was statistically significant (P =0.002). The difference in individual symptom improvement (except sneezing) post treatment exhibited a statistical significance in Group A.No side-effects were seen with either of the sprays.

Conclusions In our study, both treatments provided clinically meaningful responses, but the overall result favored HSS. Hence, HSS can be an effective and safe therapy for AR.