ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To assess the effect of Mizolastine on quality of life (QOL) in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out with Mizolastine in sixty patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. QOL was measured by using the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire (Chinese version). Mizolastine (10 mg once daily, 26 patients), Cetirizine (10 mg once daily, 22 patients) or placebo (12 patients) was given for 3 weeks. The SF-36 questionnaire was administered at the start of treatment and after 1 and 3 weeks of treatment. Symptom-medication scores were measured daily during the study.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After the run-in period (baseline), there were no significant differences among the Mezolastine, Cetirizine and placebo groups in terms of symptoms or QOL scores. After 1 and 3 weeks of treatment, symptoms scores were significantly decreased and QOL scores significantly improved in the Mezolastine group and Cetirizine group in comparison with the placebo group ( both P < 0.001, chi2 test). All of the eight QOL dimensions were significantly improved (from P = 0.001 to P < 0.0001, F test) after 1 and 3 weeks of Mizolastine treatment compared with placebo. There was no improvement in the placebo group.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Mizolastine can not only decrease symptoms scores but also improve the QOL in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. Placebo can relieve the symptoms but can not improve the QOL.</p>