Comparative clinical evaluation of effect of topical verses systemic anti -allergic drug in allergic rhinitis: a prospective study

Nasal passages form one of the chief sources of contact of the human with his environment. Hence, it is natural that the mucosa of the area is the victim of assault with multitudes of potential allergens. Allergic rhinitis is an inflammatory disease with worldwide prevalence of 10-40%. Clinically allergic rhinitis manifests as itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, congestion and itchy eyes. Allergic rhinitis is a disease with low mortality but significantly lowers the quality of life and functioning. Both oral and intranasal antihistamines are approved for the first-line treatment of allergic rhinitis and both formulations result in a reduction in symptoms and an improvement in quality of life. The following study was designed to assess the efficacy and safety of the azelastine nasal spray in comparison to levocetrizine in patients with allergic rhinitis. Out of the 68 patients, 34 cases were treated with topical azelastine (group A), while remaining 34 with systemic levocetrizine (group B). The effects of anti-allergic drugs have been studied on the basis of relief of symptoms and change in histopathology. Comparing the post therapy clinical and histopathological results in this study, azelastine nasal spray was found to be more effective and safe in the treatment of allergic rhinitis than levocetrizine.