Treatment with desloratadine improves quality of life and symptom scores, including nasal congestion, in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis

Abstract

Rationale Desloratadine (DL) has been shown to improve seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) symptoms, including nasal congestion. We studied whether improved SAR symptoms with DL were accompanied by better quality of life (QOL) scores. Methods Patients ≥18 years with SAR for ≥2 years (skin-prick test-positive) were randomized to receive DL 5mg or placebo QD for 15 days. Patients recorded symptom scores AM/PM using a 4-point scale (0=none-3=severe). Individual symptoms were summed for total nasal symptoms (TNS), total non-nasal symptoms (TNNS) and total SAR symptoms (TSS) scores. Eligible patients had baseline scores for TNNS ≥2, TSS ≥8 and nasal congestion ≥2. Patients/investigators jointly rated the global response to treatment on day 14. At baseline and day 14 the rhinoconjunctivitis QOL questionnaire (RQLQ) was used to measure the physical, practical and emotional impacts of SAR. Adverse events were recorded and rated in relation to treatment. Results The DL (n=234) and placebo (n=249) groups were balanced at baseline. Significantly greater decreases from baseline in nasal congestion (P=0.03), TNS (P=0.0003), TNNS (P=0.0003) and TSS (P≤0.0001) scores occurred with DL versus placebo. On day 1, TNS (P=0.008), TNNS (P=0.0001) and TSS (P=0.0008) scores were significantly improved with DL versus placebo. The global response to treatment was significantly better for DL versus placebo (P≤0.0001). DL significantly improved overall (P≤0.0001) and domain (nose symptoms, eye symptoms, activity limitation, sleep problems, practical problems, emotional function) (P≤0.04) RQLQ scores versus placebo. DL and placebo had a similar adverse event rate. Conclusions DL significantly improved QOL and symptom scores, including nasal congestion, in patients with SAR.