Levocetirizine in persistent allergic rhinitis and asthma: effects on symptoms, quality of life and inflammatory parameters

Authors:
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Summary: Background Levocetirizine (LCZ) has been shown to be effective in allergic rhinitis. We evaluated its clinical efficacy, antinflammatory actions and its effects on quality of life (QoL) with a specific instrument in the asthma–rhinitis comorbidity.Methods Fifty adult patients with persistent rhinitis with/without asthma were enrolled. After a 1‐week run‐in for baseline evaluation, they were randomized to LCZ or placebo for 8 weeks. Cromolyn and salbutamol were permitted on demand. Rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma symptoms were evaluated by diary cards. QoL was assessed by the specific Rhinasthma questionnaire and the generic SF‐36 at different time‐points. Nasal scrapings and lavages were also performed for inflammatory cell count and mediator assessment.Results Ten patients dropped out for unrelated reasons and the remaining completed the study with no side‐effect. Symptoms began to decrease in the active group at the second week of treatment when the difference with the placebo group became significant (0.05) and so remained until the end of the trial. Starting from 2 weeks of therapy, there was a significant decrease vs. baseline in all the four components of the Rhinasthma questionnaire only in the active group. The intergroup comparison became significant (PConclusions LCZ is clinically effective and capable of improving the rhinitis–asthma‐related QoL.

This publication has 25 references indexed in Scilit: