DOUBLE-BLIND TRIAL OF A HEATED NASAL AEROSOL IN THE TREATMENT OF PERENNIAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Background: The effect of heated, moisturized air, delivered at 40 L/m in and 43-degrees-C, on allergic rhinitis was evaluated in two studies . Methods: In the first study patients with chronic nasal symptoms and long-term exposure to a perennial allergen to which they were sensiti ve underwent 1 week of baseline observation and 1 week of treatment wi th either heated or room temperature moisturized air for 30 minutes tw ice daily. The effect of treatment was assessed by changes in nasal sy mptoms and nasal blockage index and by a global evaluation by the subj ects at the end of the treatment period. In the second study subjects with a documented history of grass or weed pollen allergic rhinitis un derwent titrated nasal pollen challenges immediately after treatment w ith either heated or room temperature moisturized air. The outcome was assessed by the end point of the nasal challenge and change in blocka ge index at the end point. Results: In both models there was no signif icant difference in the response between those treated with heated and those treated with room temperature moisturized air. Conclusion: This study did not demonstrate any evidence of a therapeutic effect of hea ted, moisturized air in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.