corticosteroids, was highly effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in children aged 6 to 12 years. It was also safe and well tolerated. Funding: Schering-Plough 251 Mometasone Furoate Nasal Spray Rapidly and Enduringly Relieves Nasal Congestion and Other Symptoms of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis G. N. Gross, M. R. Danzig, D. Gates; Dallas Allergy and Asthma Center, Dallas, TX, Schering-Plough Research Institute, Kenilworth, NJ. RATIONALE: As one of the most bothersome symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), congestion frequently interferes with sleep, daytime productivity/alertness, and quality of life. METHODS: This retrospective analysis of the onset and duration of efficacy of mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) 200 mcg once daily over 15 days was based on pooled study data from 4 randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials in subjects with SAR. Subjects rated each symptom, including congestion, on a scale of 0 (none) to 3 (severe). Symptom severity ratings for the Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS) were categorized as mild (<6), moderate (6-<10), or severe ( 10). RESULTS: Mean baseline scores were similar for the MFNS (n5492) and placebo (n5497) groups for congestion (2.24 and 2.25, respectively) and TNSS (7.71 and 7.78, respectively). Treatment with MFNS produced significantly greater improvements than placebo in congestion and TNSS beginning on Day 2 and continuing on every day of the 15-day treatment period. At Day 2, score decreases with MFNS and placebo, respectively, were -0.36 vs -0.21 (-13.6% vs -7.7%; P<0.001) for congestion and -1.49 vs -0.81 (-16.5% vs -8.1%; P<0.001) for TNSS. At Day 15, decreases in scores with MFNS and placebo, respectively, were -0.82 vs -0.44 (-34.5% vs -17.2%; P<0.001) for congestion and -3.52 vs -1.94 (-41.6% vs -21.8%; P<0.001) for TNSS. CONCLUSIONS: MFNS rapidly improved congestion and total nasal symptoms in subjects with SAR, with significant improvements by Day 2 of treatment that continued for the duration of the study. Funding: Schering-Plough