Pm. Graf et H. Hallen, ONE-YEAR FOLLOW-UP OF PATIENTS WITH RHINITIS MEDICAMENTOSA AFTER VASOCONSTRICTOR WITHDRAWAL, American journal of rhinology, 11(1), 1997, pp. 67-72
The aim of the study was to systematically follow-up 10 patients with
rhinitis medicamentosa for at least 1 year after vasoconstrictor withd
rawal. During withdrawal of the decongestants the patients used budeso
nide nasal spray, 400 mu g/day, for 6 weeks. The thickness of the nasa
l mucosa, the decongestive effect of oxymetazoline, and the histamine
sensitivity were measured with rhinostereometry during the period. The
thickness of the nasal mucosa and the symptom scores of nasal stuffin
ess were reduced considerably 6 and 22 months after vasoconstrictor wi
thdrawal. The histamine sensitivity reflecting nasal hyperreactivity w
as still increased after 6 months, but not after 1 year. The decongest
ive effect of oxymetazoline increased after 6 months, indicating rever
sible tolerance. We conclude that when given adequate treatment and in
formation about nose-drop over-use, all patients were able to stop usi
ng the vasoconstrictors and no one relapsed into a daily long-term ove
ruse of vasoconstrictors during the 1-year follow-up period.