J Rhinol.  2010 May;17(1):24-28.

The Effect of the Combined Use of Immunotherapy and Topical Steroid on the Quality of Life in Allergic Rhinitis Patients

• Hong SC
• Jeong YS
• Kim JK
• Cho JH
• Park HJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
The management of allergic rhinitis includes allergen avoidance, pharmacotherapy, and immunotherapy. Only a few studies have compared the clinical efficacy of the two treatments. We conducted a study to compare the efficacy of immunotherapy (IT), a topical steroid (TS), and combined therapy (IT+TS) in allergic rhinitis.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The three groups (IT:11 patients, TS:ten patients, IT+TS:ten patients) were treated for six months and were evaluated using questionnaires and a physical exam before and after treatment. RESULT: Overall symptoms were reduced after six months of treatment in all groups. In the IT+TS group, signs and symptoms diminished more than those in the IT or TS groups. Difference in skin test sensitivity among the groups was not statistically significant.
CONCLUSION
Combined use of immunotherapy and a topical steroid was more effective than either therapy alone in reducing the signs and symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Keyword

Allergic rhinitis; Immunotherapy; Topical steroid

MeSH Terms

Humans
Immunotherapy
Quality of Life
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial
Skin Tests
Surveys and Questionnaires