Effects of intranasal mometasone furoate on itchy ear and palate in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Intranasal steroids relieve nasal symptoms and ocular itch in allergic rhinitis. Itchy ear and palate are also common and bothersome symptoms but have received little attention in clinical trials of allergic rhinitis.

OBJECTIVE:

To ascertain the efficacy of mometasone furoate nasal spray in alleviating itchy ear and palate in seasonal allergic rhinitis.

METHODS:

Data were pooled from 4 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of mometasone furoate nasal spray, 200 μg/d. Participants rated ear and palate itching from baseline through treatment day 15 as follows: 0, none; 1, mild; 2, moderate; and 3, severe.

RESULTS:

A total of 962 study participants received mometasone furoate nasal spray or placebo. Baseline least squares mean itchy ear and palate score was 1.81 for participants receiving mometasone furoate nasal spray (n = 480) and 1.85 for participants receiving placebo (n = 482). Mometasone furoate nasal spray was associated with a greater decrease in itchy and ear palate score vs placebo during the 15-day study period (least squares mean change, -0.73 vs -0.45; P < .001). The difference reached significance on day 2 and persisted through day 15 (P ≤ .01 for each day). Results were similar in a subgroup of patients (n = 305) with moderate-to-severe symptoms at baseline. Adverse events with mometasone furoate nasal spray were similar to those observed in other studies of intranasal steroid therapy.

CONCLUSION:

These preliminary findings suggest that mometasone furoate nasal spray effectively treats itchy ear and palate in individuals with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Itchy ear and palate is a relevant end point for future clinical trials of allergic rhinitis.

• Authors: David I Bernstein, Ariel Teper, Gokul Gopalan, Davis Gates
• Journal: Annals of allergy, asthma & immunology : official publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology (Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol) Vol. 108 Issue 5 Pg. 359-62 (May 2012) ISSN: 1534-4436 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22541408 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Clinical Trial, Phase III, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2012 American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Anti-Allergic Agents
• Nasal Sprays
• Pregnadienediols
• Mometasone Furoate

Topics

• Administration, Intranasal
• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• Anti-Allergic Agents (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Double-Blind Method
• Ear (physiopathology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Mometasone Furoate
• Nasal Sprays
• Palate (physiopathology)
• Pregnadienediols (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Pruritus (drug therapy)
• Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult