Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis is a chronic upper airway disease of increasing prevalence and remains an important healthcare problem. Present study was aimed to compare intranasal steroids with intranasal antihistamines sprays v/s intranasal steroids sprays alone in management of allergic rhinitis. Material and Methods: Present study was comparative, prospective & non-randomized study, conducted patients from 18-45 years of age group, either gender, attending the ENT outpatient clinic, clinically diagnosed with allergic rhinitis. 60 patients by computer generated chits randomly allocated to group S (intranasal steroids) & group SA (intranasal steroids & intranasal antihistamines). Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score was calculated at baseline & after 6 weeks. Results: 60 patients were randomly divided in group S (n=30) & group SA (n=30). Both groups had comparable distribution of patients according to age & gender. Baseline NOSE score (Group S - 82.17 ± 10.52 & Group SA - 83.75 ± 11.94) were comparable & difference was not significant statistically (p - 0.078). At 6 weeks a significant fall in Absolute eosinophil count was noted in groups S (82.17 ± 10.52 vs 49.28 ± 7.56) as well as group SA (83.75 ± 11.94 vs 22.2 ± 6.97) & difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). At 6 weeks, less NOSE score was noted in group SA (22.2 ± 6.97) as compared to group S (49.28 ± 7.56) & difference was statistically significant (p - 0.021). Conclusion: Combination of intranasal steroids with intranasal antihistamines sprays has significant reduction of symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients when compared to intranasal steroids spray alone.