According to a meta-analysis published in the journalInternational Forum of Allergy & Rhinology,addition of a topical decongestant to an intranasal corticosteroid (INCS-D) may not have significant benefits in treating chronic rhinitis compared with INCS alone.
Researchers performed a meta-analysis of 6 randomised controlled trials (n=1071) comparing the effects of INCS-D vs INCS alone in treating chronic rhinitis, identified through a literature search across several electronic databases. Nasal symptoms, nasal congestion scores, disease-specific QoL, objective tests for nasal potency, and adverse events was evaluated.
The pooled results of all trials showed no significant differences in total nasal symptom scores (standardised mean difference [SMD], −0.85; P=.18), nasal congestion scores (SMD, −0.12; P=.43), and the Rhinoconjunctivitis QoL Questionnaire score (SMD, −0.12; P=.66) between the INCS-D and INCS groups at the endpoint. There was no significant difference in objective tests for nasal patency (acoustic rhinometry: SMD, 0.04; P=.91 and peak nasal inspiratory flow: SMD, 0.08; P=.52) between the 2 groups. No significant differences were seen in adverse events between the 2 groups (Risk ratio, 1.09; 95% CI, 0.73-1.62).
“Addition of decongestant to INCS should not be recommended when INCS monotherapy has failed to control nasal decongestion, as chronic rhinitis may result in chronic inferior turbinate hypertrophy with decreased response to decongestant,” the authors commented.
