Abstract | BACKGROUND: METHODS: Patients with PER and subjective loss of the sense of smell (n = 27) were included in this pilot randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Nasal symptoms, nasal endoscopy, skin prick test, acoustic rhinometry, peak nasal inspiratory flow, nasal nitric oxide (nNO), and olfactometry (Barcelona Smell Test-24; BAST-24) were performed and evaluated in all PER patients at baseline and after 7 and 30 days of treatment with levocetirizine 5 mg or placebo. RESULTS: The study population was randomized into two homogeneous groups: levocetirizine (n = 14) and placebo groups (n = 13). The evolution of symptoms reflected the therapeutic effect of levocetirizine treatment on rhinorrhea, nasal itching, eye itching, sneezing, and the total symptoms score after 7 and 30 days. Significant improvement in loss of smell by a visual analog scale (VAS) was observed after 7 days of levocetirizine treatment (7.2 ± 4.3; p < 0.05) compared to placebo (-9.4 ± 6.2). Improvement in smell identification by BAST-24 was strongly correlated (r = 0.72; p < 0.05) with smell improvement by VAS after 30 days. After 7 days of treatment with levocetirizine, the nNO values decreased (-494 ± 188) compared to placebo (155 ± 284 ppb; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The CIRANO study suggests that levocetirizine is effective on PER symptoms, including a transient improvement in loss of smell, and that this improvement concurs more with reduction of nasal inflammation than of nasal patency.
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Authors | José Maria Guilemany, Alfons García-Piñero, Isam Alobid, Silvia Centellas, Franklin Santiago Mariño, Antonio Valero, Manuel Bernal-Sprekelsen, César Picado, Joaquim Mullol |
Journal | International archives of allergy and immunology
(Int Arch Allergy Immunol)
Vol. 158
Issue 2
Pg. 184-90
( 2012)
ISSN: 1423-0097 [Electronic] Switzerland |
PMID | 22286639
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Copyright | Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel. |
Chemical References |
- Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating
- Placebos
- Nitric Oxide
- levocetirizine
- Cetirizine
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Topics |
- Adult
- Cetirizine
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Double-Blind Method
- Female
- Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating
(pharmacology, therapeutic use)
- Humans
- Inflammation
(drug therapy)
- Male
- Nitric Oxide
(analysis)
- Olfaction Disorders
(drug therapy, etiology)
- Placebos
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal
(complications, drug therapy, physiopathology)
- Smell
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