No abstract

Preseasonal local nasal immunotherapy (LNIT) by means of an extract in macronized powder form has been studied in allergic rhinitis to parietaria. Twenty-four Parietaria-sensitive patients have been studied for 18 weeks in a double-blind controlled trial. Subjects were selected on the basis of a positive skin test, RAST and intranasal challenge to Parietaria antigen. Three eight-patient groups were randomly planned: the first group was given native Parietaria product, the second modified Parietaria product, and the third placebo. During the pollen season no difference was observed in mean weekly symptom score between the three groups, while the mean weekly medication score was significantly lower in the treated groups than the control group. Only the treated groups showed a significant increase in specific nasal threshold to Parietaria after treatment. Adverse reactions to LNIT, limited to the upper respiratory tract, occurred rarely and did not interfere with the dose schedule. This study indicates that LNIT in powder form may be a suitable alternative to the traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy in terms of clinical efficacy and safety.

No abstract

This study indicates that LNIT with allergen in powder form has proven clinically effective in the treatment of birch allergic rhinitis. Further studies are needed to establish whether this treatment can be considered a real alternative to the traditional subcutaneous immunotherapy in birch allergic rhinitis.

In a 20-d, double-blind, randomized, parallel study, the efficacy of cetirizine and terfenadine was compared in 30 patients with chronic idiopathic urticaria. Subjects were randomly divided into two 15-patient groups. The first group was given cetirizine (10 mg once daily); the second terfenadine (60 mg twice daily). Cetirizine proved to be more effective than terfenadine in controlling urticaria symptoms. In fact, the score of the investigators' overall assessment was significantly lower in the cetirizine-treated group than in the terfenadine-treated group. Moreover, patient evaluation by a visual analog scale and symptoms assessed on a 4-point scale showed a better improvement in the cetirizine group. The number and severity of side-effects were similar in both treatment groups.