Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis With Desloratadine: Results of a Multinational Observational Study in the Middle East Gulf Region

Abstract

Background Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects up to 36% of the population in the Middle East Gulf States. The second-generation nonsedating antihistamine desloratadine has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the treatment of AR; however, few studies have evaluated this agent in Arab and Asian populations in the Middle East.Methods This open-label study enrolled subjects ≥ 12 years with moderate-to-severe AR; they received desloratadine 5 mg QD for 2 weeks. Endpoints included change in mean individual nasal and ocular symptom scores, total symptom score (TSS), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and percentage improvement in global response to therapy.Results There were 602 subjects from 5 Middle East countries enrolled. After 2 weeks, desloratadine significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced mean scores for individual nasal and total ocular symptom scores and TSS. PNIF measures of nasal congestion were significantly (P < 0.0001) improved after treatment. Most subjects obtained complete (38.1%) or marked (47.2%) relief of AR symptoms. Treatment failure was reported in 2.2% of subjects. No adverse events were reported, and no subjects discontinued treatment.Conclusion Most subjects reported significant symptom relief with desloratadine 5 mg/d for 2 weeks. Desloratadine is effective in the treatment of AR in Arab and Asian subjects in the Middle East Gulf region.