Efficacy and Safety of Bilastine in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Bilastine is a non-sedating second generation H1 oral antihistamine (OAH) for treating allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. The effect of bilastine has not previously been evaluated in a meta-analysis. The aim of this review was to determine the efficacy and safety of bilastine in treating AR. An electronic literature search was performed using Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Science Direct and Google Scholar up to March 2021. Randomized controlled trials comparing bilastine with placebo and standard pharmacotherapy were included. The included studies must have diagnosis of AR established by clinicians and the outcomes must have a minimum of 2 weeks of follow-up period. The primary outcomes assessed were total symptom score (TSS), nasal symptom score (NSS) and non-nasal symptom score (NNSS). The secondary outcomes were discomfort due to rhinitis, quality of life (QOL) and adverse events. The risk of bias and quality of evidence for all studies were appraised. The meta-analysis was done using Review Manager 5.3 software based on the random-effects model. The search identified 135 records after removal of duplicates. Following screening and review of the records, fifteen full-text articles were assessed for eligibility. Five trials involving 3,329 patients met the inclusion criteria. Bilastine was superior to placebo in improving TSS, NSS, NNSS, rhinitis discomfort score and QOL but has comparable efficacy with other OAHs in TSS, NSS, NNS, rhinitis discomfort score and QOL. There was no difference in adverse effects when bilastine was compared against placebo and other OAHs except for somnolence. Bilastine has fewer incidence of somnolence compared to cetirizine. The overall quality of evidence ranged from moderate to high quality. Bilastine is effective and safe in treating the overall symptoms of AR with comparable efficacy and safety with other OAHs except somnolence. Whilst bilastine has similar efficacy to cetirizine, somnolence is notably less in bilastine.

Airway Nitric Oxide in Children with HDM-Induced Allergic Rhinitis

Background Rhinitis is a common problem in children. Airway nitric oxide (NO) was proposed to represent eosinophilic inflammation. Objectives To evaluate airway NO level in children with house dust mite (HDM)-induced allergic rhinitis Methods Children aged 5 to 18 years old with moderate–severe persistent rhinitis and positive result for the HDM nasal provocation test (NPT) was enrolled. The nasal symptoms evaluated by total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and visual analog scale (VAS) were recorded. Skin prick test (SPT) to common aeroallergens, fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), nasal nitric oxide (nNO), and blood test for specific IgE (sIgE) to HDM was measured. Rhinitis severity was categorized as severe if the VAS score > 7. Results Forty-eight children with HDM-induced allergic rhinitis with the mean age of 9.3 ± 2.4 years were enrolled. nNO levels and VAS score were significantly correlated (R = 0.398, P = .005). Children with severe rhinitis had significantly higher nNO levels than moderate rhinitis (1652.05 vs 941.30 parts per billion [ppb], P = .002), while there was no difference in FeNO level. ROC curve analysis demonstrated the cut-off value of nNO at 1350 ppb (AUC 0.764, 95% CI: 0.616-0.911, P = .002) for detecting severe HDM-induced allergic rhinitis with the sensitivity of 78% and the specificity of 71%. The level of FeNO in children who had HDM mean wheal diameter (MWD) > 8 mm was significantly higher than those with HDM MWD of 3 to 8 mm and those with a negative test (39.7 vs 14.3 vs 14.4 ppb; P = .006, respectively). Children who had sIgE to HDM < 0.35 KUA/L had significantly lower FeNO than those with sIgE to HDM 0.35 to 50 KUA/L and >50 KUA/L (9.5 vs 19.7 vs 40.4 ppb; P = .029, respectively). Conclusions Cut-off value for the diagnosis of severe HDM-induced chronic rhinitis was proposed. Rhinitis children who had a higher degree of HDM sensitization had a higher level of FeNO.

Comparison of efficacy and tolerability of oral desloratadine, rupatadine and ketotifen in seasonal allergic rhinitis

Rhinitis is inflammation of nasal mucosa which characteristically presents as running nose, blocked nose, itching on nose or sneezing. Allergic rhinitis is more common than non-allergic rhinitis. Anti-histamines are the mainstay of SAR treatment. Desloratadine, rupatadine and ketotifen are the commonly prescribed anti histamines in our region. In this study, we have compared efficacy and tolerability of desloratadine, rupatadine and ketotifen in SAR. This was a prospective, randomized, three arm, open label comparative study of desloratadine, rupatadine and ketotifen in SAR, conducted at Department of ENT, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore; between January 2014 and December 2014. Patients’ severity of SAR symptoms were assessed by TNSS, QoL was measured using Medical Outcomes Study questionnaire (SF-12). SF-12 was administered at the start of study and then at the end of study. Adverse effects were monitored during clinical examination at each visit. Study subjects were systemically randomized into three groups – desloratadine (DES), rupatadine (RUP) and ketotifen (KET). Based on the assigned group; desloratadine was given orally in dose of 10mg OD, rupatadine orally 10 mg OD and ketotifen orally 1mg BD. All medications were given for 4 weeks. Follow up was done for all patients every week during treatment period of 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was change in mean TNSS from baseline; secondary outcome measures were changes in the individual nasal symptom scores, change in the quality of life and tolerability to the study medications. Total 150 patients were recruited for this study, divided into 3 groups. DES and RUP were equally effective but significantly better than KET in improving rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, TNSS and AEC. (p=0.05). All the drugs were equally effective with no statistically significant intergroup difference in improving sneezing, nasal itching and QoL. RUP appeared to have better tolerability as the total number of adverse events were marginally less. DES and RUP are comparatively more effective and faster acting than KET. All the study medications were well tolerated with few mild, self-limiting, transient adverse events requiring no intervention.

Efficacy of Hypertonic Saline Irrigation for Nasal Symptoms in Children with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Double-Blind Study

Background: Nasal saline irrigation was an adjunctive therapy of allergic rhinitis (AR). It has been suggested that the use of hypertonic saline (HS) is better than normal saline (NSS) in treatment of AR. Reduction of mucosal edema by hypertonicity induced water transport through nasal mucosa, nasal congestion reduction and mucociliary clearance improvement. Objective: To compare total nasal symptom score (TNSS) between 3% HS and NSS irrigation in perennial allergic rhinitis children. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted at the Allergy Center of Bhumibol Adulyadej Hospital (BAH), Royal Thai Airforce, Bangkok, Thailand between January and March 2021. Sixty-two perennial AR children were enrolled and categorized in severity level, namely mild, moderate or severe. Subjects were randomized into two groups. Each participant was blind-randomized to nasal irrigation of either 3% HS or NSS twice-daily for 4 weeks by the same investigator. The primary outcome was TNSS improvement between both groups. Secondary outcomes were quality of life, nasal congestion severity improvement, nasal cytology change and side effects. Results: TNSS improvement of 3% HS was more than NSS group (4.03±2.36 versus 2.73±3.06, p=0.034). Nasal congestion was the only symptom that differed significantly between the two groups (1.32±1.01 in 3% HS versus 0.70±1.24 in NSS, p=0.024). Reduction of congestion severity by physical examination, nasal cytology changes and side effects were comparable. Conclusion: Nasal irrigation with 3% HS in children with perennial AR had more improvement than NSS in TNSS., especially nasal congestion. Keyword: Hypertonic saline; Nasal irrigation; Allergic rhinitis; Nasal symptom score

Effect of Dupilumab on Depression in Asthma with Eosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis in the Japanese Population

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Psychological disorders, such as depression, are markedly prevalent in patients with airway diseases. In this study, we assessed the effect of treatment with dupilumab, an IL-4 receptor α chain antibody, on depressive symptoms in a cohort of patients with asthma with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (ECRS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The study participants, diagnosed with asthma and ECRS, were assessed for symptoms and quality of life (QOL) scores for asthma and ECRS and medications. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were used to evaluate the depressive state. The depressive symptoms were compared with asthma and ECRS symptoms both at the time of initiation and after 4 months of dupilumab treatment. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ultimately, 31 patients were included in the study. Most patients demonstrated a depressive state that was correlated with the nasal symptom score. In the evaluation 4 months after dupilumab treatment, the PHQ-9 score was significantly reduced, and the decrease was remarkable in patients whose nasal symptom score was reduced by 50% or more. Additionally, the PHQ-9 scores in patients with improved nasal and asthma symptoms were significantly reduced. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Dupilumab may improve QOL in patients with bronchial asthma with ECRS by reducing depressive symptoms through the improvement of clinical symptoms.

Latent Myofascial Trigger Points Injection Reduced the Severity of Persistent, Moderate to Severe Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Myofascial trigger points (MTrPs) injection has been effectively used for the management of chronic painful diseases. Latent MTrPs can induce autonomic nerve phenomena. In our clinic, we observed that allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms significantly improved when latent MTrPs injection was performed for migraine.Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety between latent MTrPs injection and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) in patients with persistent, moderate to severe AR.Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted with 112 patients with AR. Patients were randomized to receive SLIT (n = 56) or latent MTrPs injection. Total nasal symptom score (TNSS, n = 56), nasal symptoms, medication days, and adverse events were evaluated during the 9 months follow-up period after treatment in both groups.Results: Latent MTrPs injection significantly reduced TNSS to a greater level from baseline (from 8.36 ± 1.96 to 4.43 ± 2.18) than SLIT (from 8.66 ± 2.31 to 7.80 ± 2.47) at week 1 (P &lt; 0.001), and sustained the improvement in symptoms throughout to month 9. Latent MTrPs showed statistically significant differences vs. SLIT for the TNSS reduction both at month 2 (6.59 ± 2.37 vs. 2.64 ± 2.38; p &lt; 0.001) and month 3 (4.59 ± 2.77 vs. 2.62 ± 2.43; p &lt;0.001). Latent MTrPs also showed a better improvement in the onset time of efficacy compared with SLIT. Adverse reactions were few and non-serious in both treatment groups.Conclusions: Latent MTrPs injection significantly improved symptoms and decreased symptom-relieving medication use in patients with AR and was well tolerated.Clinical Trials Registration: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR1900020590. Registered 9 January 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx.

Triamcinolone Acetonide in the Treatment of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: A post hoc Efficacy Analysis of a Phase III Study Performed in Russia

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a disease which affects &#x3e;24% of the population in Russia. Triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) is a corticosteroid used for treating AR. This post hoc analysis assesses the efficacy of intranasal TAA in improving perennial AR (PAR) symptom scores over 4 weeks. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> NASANIF (NCT03317015) was a double-blind, parallel-group, multicenter, prospective, non-inferiority, phase III clinical trial in which patients with PAR were randomized (1:1) to receive TAA or fluticasone propionate (FP) over 4 weeks. Our post hoc analysis evaluates weekly change in PAR symptoms using the reflective Total Nasal Symptom Score (rTNSS), overall and for individual symptoms (sneezing, nasal itching, rhinorrhoea, and nasal obstruction). Proportion of patients and time to achieve a ≥50 or ≥75% reduction in rTNSS were assessed. For rTNSS endpoints, a linear mixed-model methodology was used; for time-to-event endpoints, cumulative incidence functions were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, in the per-protocol population. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of 260 patients, 128 each completed the study and were randomized to receive TAA or FP. From baseline to week 4, the changes in total rTNSS were −7.78 (95% CI: −8.1701 to −7.3967; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) and −7.52 (−7.9053 to −7.1320; <i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001) for TAA and FP, respectively. Individual symptoms improved significantly from baseline. The proportion of patients achieving ≥50 and ≥75% reductions in total rTNSS was 88.0 and 67.2%, respectively in the TAA group. No significant differences were observed between the TAA and FP in any analyses. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> TAA produced effective and prolonged improvement of PAR symptoms over a 4-week treatment period.

Reliability and Validity of the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (Thai Version) in Patients with Rhinitis

Objective: To assess the reliability and validity of the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT) (Thai version) in patients with rhinitis. Materials and Methods: This is a questionnaire-based research, cross-sectional study. The researchers had asked permission from the developer to translate the RCAT into Thai language based on the international standard of translation method. Validity test was evaluated by the expert looking at the items in the questionnaire and agreeing that the test is a valid measure of the concept. Fifty patients with allergic and non-allergic rhinitis were recruited into the present study and completed the RCAT, total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) and skin tests were measured at the same time. Cronbach’s coefficient alpha and Pearson correlation were evaluated for its reliability. Results: The RCAT (Thai version) have a good reliability and validity with Cronbach’s coefficient alpha 0.73 and Pearson correlation 0.74 in correlation analysis with TNSS (p<0.01). The aspect of content validity was evaluated by three specialists, and they agreed to all six questions of RCAT (Thai version). Conclusion: The researchers have demonstrated that the RCAT (Thai version) have a good reliability and validity and is suitable for clinical application to evaluate the rhinitis symptoms. Keywords: Rhinitis; Allergic rhinitis; Non-allergic rhinitis; RCAT

Sinonasal effects of external dacryocystorhinostomy

Objective External dacryocystorhinostomy is thought to cause mucociliary dysfunction by damaging the mucosa, in turn affecting ciliary activity and mucus quality. This study investigated the effect of external dacryocystorhinostomy on sinonasal function. Methods Patients scheduled for unilateral external dacryocystorhinostomy who underwent endoscopic nasal examination and paranasal sinus computed tomography were included in this study. A saccharine test was performed on the planned surgical side and the mucociliary clearance time was determined. The sinonasal quality of life was measured in all patients, pre-operatively and at six months post-operatively, using the Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22. The Lund–Kennedy endoscopic score was also determined in all patients, both pre- and post-operatively. Results The study comprised 28 patients (22 females and 6 males). A statistically significant difference was found between the pre- and post-operative saccharine test results (p = 0.006), but not between the pre- and post-operative Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion This study is one of only a few to investigate the effect of external dacryocystorhinostomy on sinonasal function. The results showed that external dacryocystorhinostomy impairs mucociliary clearance. The surgical procedure is well tolerated and does not significantly change nasal symptom scores.

Hypochlorous Acid Versus Saline Nasal Irrigation in Allergic Rhinitis: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-controlled Study

Background Low concentrations of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) have proven antipruritic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial effects without toxicity, although the mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of HOCl nasal irrigation to reduce allergic rhinitis (AR) symptoms compared with saline nasal irrigation. Methods This was multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Initially, 139 patients with perennial AR were enrolled; however, 25 did not successfully complete the study. Patients were randomly assigned to the nasal irrigation with low-concentration HOCl (n = 55) or normal saline (n = 59) treatment groups for the 4-week study period. Participants completed the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) at every visit (baseline, Weeks 2 and 4), and Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) was determined before and after nasal irrigation every morning and evening. Results We found that RQLQ scores significantly decreased after 4 weeks in the HOCl and placebo groups, but the decrement of the RQLQ score was similar between the 2 groups. Additionally, TNSS improved in both groups between baseline and Week 4, whereas there were no significant differences in the change of TNSS between the 2 groups. The HOCl group did not show any clinical side effects related to nasal irrigation. Conclusion Allergic symptoms significantly decreased with low-concentration HOCl nasal irrigation, without significant adverse events. However, HOCl showed no additional improvement in symptoms compared with saline nasal irrigation for patients with perennial AR.