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

Abstract

<p><strong>Background: </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>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.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong><strong> </strong>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).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>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.</p>