Lipid based ointment for allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Objectives: About 15% of the population suffers from allergic rhinitis. Recently the therapeutic use of a lipid-based nasal ointment was discussed. The aim of this study was a first assessment of the efficacy as an adjuvant therapy on a statistical basis. Methods: A 2-center, prospective, open, randomized, controlled clinical study was carried out. The test agent consisted of a highly viscous, long chain fraction of lipids. Controls did not get placebos. Patients were asked to continue their normal antiallergic therapies. Results: The allergic symptoms (sneezing attacks, nasal itching, nasal secretion, nasal obstruction) of 17 patients using the test agent were compared to a control group of 16 patients. For the group using the test agent, before/after comparisons showed a significant circa. Forty percent improvement in the medium, relative total range of symptoms (Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney U-test, P < 0.01). In the control group, the total range of symptoms remained unchanged. No side effects were recorded. Conclusions: By the local application of the test agent a significant improvement of the total allergic symptomatology was shown. The results of this study are consistent with an investigation by Bufe into pollen and a mineral-oil based agent. Bufe speculated in his study that the release of allergens from the pollen would be prevented in vivo by lipids, which would mean an elimination of allergens. However, the mechanism has not been conclusively clarified. If confirmed, the observations made in this study might serve for new insights into allergic reactions and new therapeutic approaches.