INTRANASAL FLUTICASONE SPRAY VERSUS INTRANASAL FLUTICASONE SPRAY WITH ORAL LEVOCETRIZINE IN TREATMENT OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS– A RANDOMIZED CONTROL STUDY

Background: Allergic rhinitis is an Ig E mediated inammatory response of nasal mucosa, known to have a signicant impact on quality of life. Clinical studies have found that combining an antihistamine with an intranasal corticosteroid provides few or no advantages over monotherapy with an intranasal corticosteroid. Objective-To compare clinically the effectiveness of intranasal uticasone spray and intranasal uticasone spray with oral levocetrizine in relief of symptoms in allergic rhinitis using TNSS (Total Nasal Symptom Score)- a randomized control study. Materials and methods: A Randomized control study with total number of 40 patients clinically diagnosed with allergic rhinitis coming to the ENT OPD, S.N.M.C, Bagalkot was done. Patients were randomized into two groups. In group A, intranasal uticasone spray 2 puffs OD was given and combination of intranasal uticasone spray with oral levocetrizine OD in group B for a period of 4 weeks. Results: Symptom improvement in nasal symptom scores in both groups were compared at 1st week, 2nd week and 4th week. Patients in intranasal uticasone with oral levocetrizine group had better improvement compared to the intranasal uticasone spray alone in third visit, which was statistically signicant (p=0.002). This study concludes that, although corticosteroids are the mainstay of treatment in allergic rhinitis, but when used with oral levocetrizine has better tolerabilit