COMPARISON OF BUDESONIDE AND DISODIUM-CROMOGLYCATE FOR THE TREATMENT OF SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS IN CHILDREN

Background: Budesonide and disodium cromoglycate (DSCG) are commonly u sed agents for the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis. The compar ative efficacy, however, of these agents in the pediatric population h as not been reported. Objective: The efficacy of nasally administered budesonide (400 mu g/day, administered twice daily) was compared with that of DSCG (31.2 mg/day administered six times per day) for the trea tment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in children. Methods: A single-bli nd parallel group study was carried out in 56 children (mean age 12 ye ars) with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Treatment was for 3 weeks, durin g which patients assessed nasal symptoms, eye symptoms, and overall ef ficacy. Results: Over the 3-week period, mean scores for the nasal sym ptoms of blocked nose, itchy nose, and sneezing were significantly low er with budesonide therapy than with DSCG. P values were .021, .0032, and .0016, respectively. Both treatment groups reported reduced scores for runny nose and eye symptoms; no statistically significant differe nce was observed between budesonide and DSCG. The global efficacy asse ssment scores show significantly more patients benefited from budesoni de therapy than from DSCG treatment. Conclusions: The results suggest that nasally administered budesonide has greater efficacy than DSCG in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis in children.