Nasal Irrigation with 0.9% Saline Effective and Safe as an Adjunct Therapy in Allergic Rhinitis
Introduction
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a type of IgE mediated inflammation of the nasal mucosa in response to specific allergens, resulting in nasal obstruction, sneezing, rhinorrhea and itching. Pharmacological treatments such as antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids (INS) and anti-leukotrienes and immunotherapy are used for the management of AR. Non-pharmacological option such as saline nasal irrigation reduces the symptoms and the frequency of using medications. International guidelines have recommended saline nasal irrigation as a complementary treatment of AR, without any conclusive results on its efficacy. Recent Cochrane reviews have assessed the efficacy of saline nasal irrigation as an adjunct to pharmacological treatment.
Aim
The clinical efficacy of saline nasal irrigation as an adjunct therapy was evaluated in the patients with AR.
Methods
Study Design
- Interventional analytical longitudinal study.
Patient Profile
- Patients aged between 18 to 50 years with clinical diagnosis of AR
Treatment Strategy
- The cohort comprised 30 patients with 15 each in test and control groups
- The test group underwent nasal irrigation with 0.9% saline twice daily along with INS and oral antihistamine for 2 weeks
- The control group received INS and oral antihistamine for 2 weeks
- The rhinitis score was evaluated at the beginning and end of study.
Endpoints
- Rhinitis score
- Adverse events (AEs)
Results
- Both the groups showed improvements in symptoms and signs of AR at the end of 2 weeks.
- However, the improvement was significant in the test group as compared to control group (Figure 1), with standard deviation of 1.58 and 1.64 in the control and test groups respectively.
- None of the patients reported any AE.
Conclusion
- Nasal irrigation with 0.9% saline along with intranasal corticosteroid (INS) and antihistamine demonstrated greater improvements in the symptoms as compared to INS and antihistamine only in the patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).
- Along with efficacy, nasal saline irrigation is safe, cost effective and convenient to use, making it a potential adjunct therapy in the treatment of AR.
J Dent Med Sci. 2019; 18(12):14-18.
