A prospective multicentric observational study to evolve the usefulness of 13 predefined homoeopathic medicines in the management of acute rhinitis in children.

Aims: The study aimed to evaluate the effect of a group of homeopathic medicines in children with acute rhinitis. Materials and methods: In this multi-centric open clinical trial, a total of 784 children (408 males; 384 females) aged 6 months to 15 years, presenting symptoms of acute rhinitis were enrolled from 7 Institutes/ Units under the Central Council for Research in Homeopathy (India). Symptoms were assessed using an acute rhinitis symptom score (ARSS). A total of 13 homeopathic medicines were shortlisted after repertorizing the nosological symptoms of acute rhinitis in children and the results were analyzed. The medicines were prescribed in dilution 6c (10-12) and doses were repeated from few minutes to few hours as per the need of the case. Appearance of any change (improvement or worsening) was followed by placebo / change in dilution or change in medicine according to the response of the patient. The follow up period was up to the 7th day of illness. Results: Out of 784 children enrolled, 638 children were followed up and analyzed. A significant change in the score from the baseline (p

The Association Between Paranasal Mucous Retention Cysts and Allergic Sensitization

ABSTRACT Objective: Although there is no consensus regarding the etiology of paranasal mucous retention cysts (MRCs) in the literature, several studies suggest an allergic etiology. This study aimed to investigate a potential association between paranasal MRCs diagnosed with MRI scans and allergic sensitization in the pediatric population. Materials and Methods: A total of 4559 MRI scans were retrospectively evaluated for MRC in patients who presented to the pediatric neurology outpatient clinic with headache complaints. Fifty children with MRI findings conclusive for paranasal MRC and 50 children without such findings were included in the study. All study and control patients were invited for atopy/allergy evaluation. Total IgE measurements, blood eosinophil levels, nasal smear and skin prick tests were performed to evaluate the allergic status of the children. In addition, an allergic rhinitis symptom questionnaire was administered. Results: The mean age was 13.0±2.8 years (median 14 y, range 6-18 y) with a female-to-male ratio of 1.4:1 in the study group. The prevalence of MRC was found to be 1.1% (50 in 4559). The two groups did not differ with regard to the frequency of blood eosinophilia, nasal eosinophilia, serum IgE levels, and allergic rhinitis symptom severity (p>0.05). Positive skin test for at least one of the allergens tested was more common in the MRC group than the controls (40% vs. 16%, p=0.007). Multivariate analysis identified that a positive skin prick test for at least one allergen was a significant independent predictor of MRC (OR, 4.6; 95% CI 1.2-17.0, p=0.023). Conclusion: Our study showed that paranasal MRCs were significantly more frequent in atopic children compared to controls. Additionally, MRCs were found to be strongly associated with allergic sensitization. Keywords: Cysts, allergic rhinitis, children, diagnostic tests, signs and symptoms

The Impact of Surgical Posterior Nasal Nerve Cryoablation on Symptoms and Disease-Specific Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Rhinitis

Objective: Preliminary data have demonstrated long-term efficacy of posterior nasal nerve (PNN) cryoablation in reducing rhinitis symptoms for patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and nonallergic rhinitis (NAR). We sought to evaluate the impact of procedural cryoablation of the PNN on quality of life (QOL) in patients with AR and NAR. Methods: Adult patients undergoing PNN cryoablation for AR or NAR after appropriate medical therapy were included for analysis. Demographics, medical therapies, baseline rhinitis symptom (total nasal symptom score [TNSS]), and disease-specific QOL (mini-rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire [mini-RQLQ]) were recorded. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test for significant changes in baseline test scores posttreatment. Absolute and relative improvement in outcomes was determined for each participant. Secondary outcomes were assessed with univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Fourteen patients were enrolled with a mean follow-up of 16.5 weeks. The TNSS and mini-RQLQ scores significantly improved after PNN cryoablation (median δs [interquartile range]: −4 [3] and −1.61 [1.08], respectively; both P = .0002). The minimal clinically important difference for the TNSS and mini-RQLQ was obtained in 92.9% of patients in each category. Relative mean percentage (%) improvement after PNN cryoablation in the TNSS and mini-RQLQ was 40.7% and 40.5% (standard deviation = 24.9 and 29.5, respectively), respectively, for all patients. Patients with NAR (n = 10) reported mean improvement of 41.3% (29.1) as measured by the TNSS and 49.6% (25.9) by mini-RQLQ. Patients with AR reported mean percentage improvement in TNSS and mini-RQLQ scores of 39.5% (12.1) and 24.6% (28.5), respectively. Patients who had been prescribed a nasal anticholinergic for management prior to PNN cryoablation had statistically significantly increased improvement in mini-RQLQ scores from pre- to post-procedure ( P = .0387). Conclusion: Surgical cryoablation of the PNN significantly improves both symptoms and disease-specific QOL in majority of patients with AR and NAR.

Barrier Protection Measures for the Management of Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background Pharmacotherapy for allergic rhinitis (AR) still remains unsatisfying regarding its effect and safety. Barrier protection measures may be a good choice for the patients with AR. Objective To assess the efficacy and safety of barrier protection measures in the treatment of AR. Methods We selected relevant randomized controlled trials published between January 1, 1990, and February 20, 2019, by searching Embase, PubMed, Cochrane, Web of Knowledge, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The primary outcome for this analysis was rhinitis symptom scores, overall quality of life, nasal peak inspiratory flow (NPIF), and adverse events. Differences were expressed as weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for continuous outcomes. Statistical heterogeneity across trials was assessed with the statistic ( P < .1) and the I2 statistic. Results Fifteen RCTs (with data for 1154 participants) satisfied our inclusion criteria. The types of barrier protection measures comprised cellulose, pollen blocker cream, microemulsion, and nasal filter. To reduce the potential risk of bias and heterogeneity, we carried out subgroup analysis according to different types of barrier protection measures (cellulose: WMD = –2.18, 95% CI, –3.01 to –1.35, P < .00001; pollen blocker cream: WMD = –4.55, 95% CI, –6.10 to –3.00, P < .00001; microemulsion: WMD = –0.22, 95% CI, –0.42 to –0.03, P = .03). Findings from our meta-analysis show that, compared with placebo, barrier protection measures can yield improved symptomatic control for AR, with no increase in adverse events. Furthermore, barrier protection measures can improve the quality of life and NPIF. Conclusion Although further studies are still needed, our findings clearly lend support to barrier protection measures as a safe and efficacious option for the treatment of AR patients.

The effectiveness of sublingual immunotherapy for house dust mite-induced allergic rhinitis and its co-morbid conditions

Aim: We investigated sublingual immunotherapy for mite-induced allergic rhinitis and its comorbid allergic conditions. Patients & methods: A prospective case-controlled study of 120 patients (case = 80, control = 40) over 12 months. Results: There was 53.6% reduction in total rhinitis symptom score (p < 0.0001), but not in controls (-7.3%, p = 0.99). The total symptom scores for concurrent asthma decreased from 17.79 to 8.8 (p < 0.0001); for allergic conjunctivitis from 20.89 to 10.0 (p = 0.0002); for atopic dermatitis from 46.40 to 29.38 (p = 0.0004) and 74.6% of patients weaned off nasal topical steroids. The treatment-related adverse reactions were mild and self-limiting. Conclusion: Though sublingual immunotherapy may be more expensive than conventional treatments, it was an adjunctive therapy that improved not only the outcomes for allergic rhinitis, but also its comorbid allergic conditions.