Abstract | BACKGROUND AND AIM:
Perennial allergic rhinitis impairs social life, but it is not known whether quality of life may be improved when patients are treated with an H1-blocker. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out with cetirizine to assess the effect of this drug on quality of life. METHODS: Two hundred seventy-four patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were tested. Quality of life was measured by using the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire. After a 2-week run-in period, cetirizine, 10 mg once daily, (136 patients) or placebo (138 patients) was given for the next 6 weeks. The SF-36 questionnaire was administered after the run-in period (at the start of treatment) and after 1 and 6 weeks of treatment. Symptom-medication scores were measured daily during the study. RESULTS: After the run-in period (baseline), there were no significant differences between the cetirizine and placebo groups in terms of symptoms or quality-of-life scores. After 6 weeks of treatment, percentage of days without rhinitis or with only mild rhinitis symptoms was significantly greater in the cetirizine group in comparison with the placebo group (p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test). All of the nine quality-of-life dimensions were significantly improved (from p = 0.01 to p < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test) after 1 and 6 weeks of cetirizine treatment compared with placebo. There was no improvement in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS:
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Authors | J Bousquet, J Duchateau, J C Pignat, C Fayol, P Marquis, S Mariz, J E Ware, B Valentin, B Burtin |
Journal | The Journal of allergy and clinical immunology
(J Allergy Clin Immunol)
Vol. 98
Issue 2
Pg. 309-16
(Aug 1996)
ISSN: 0091-6749 [Print] United States |
PMID | 8757208
(Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)
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Chemical References |
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Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Belgium
- Cetirizine
(adverse effects, therapeutic use)
- Double-Blind Method
- Follow-Up Studies
- France
- Health Surveys
- Humans
- Middle Aged
- Patient Compliance
- Quality of Life
- Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
(drug therapy, physiopathology, psychology)
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Treatment Outcome
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