Clinical assessment of levocetirizine and budesonide in treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis regarding to symptom severity
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To compare effectiveness of levocetirizine and budesonide in treatment of persistent allergic rhinitis (PER) in patients with high and low total symptom scores (TSS).
MATERIAL AND METHOD: Randomized, parallel-group study. Patients with PER were randomized to receive levocetirizine 5 mg (n = 50) or budesonide 256 microg (n = 50) daily for 4 week and were followed-up for another 4 weeks post-treatment. TSS combining itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, daytime and nighttime nasal congestion was recorded daily during and after treatment for an entire period of 8 weeks. Efficacy variables included area under curves depicting reduction and increase in TSSs over time relative to baselines and time to response and symptom relapses.
RESULTS: Symptoms were categorized as high and low using a median TSS of 8 as cutoff. Levocetirizine was as effective in control of high and low symptoms except for time to achieve maximum effect (2 days versus 1 week, respectively, p = 0.002) but was more effective in preventing relapses of high symptoms (p = 0.001). Budesonide was more effective against high than low symptoms (p < 0.001) but showed no difference in preventing relapses. Typical response rate of levocetirizine and budesonide were demonstrated in treatment of high symptoms. Levocetirizine achieved its full effectiveness in 2 days while budesonide required 2 weeks. Budesonide at full effect (after 2 weeks) was superior to levocetirizine (p = 0.004) but comparable for the entire…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a randomized trial, done in people. Its evidence level is 2 of 5 (High · randomized trial). Randomized trials of a reasonable size are the strongest single-study design. Reported size: 50 participants or records.
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