Comparative Study of Topical Treatment in Allergic Rhinitis Using Azelastine and Fluticasone in a Combination Verses Fluticasone Propionate Alone.

Background: Amongst the common problems facedglobally, Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is very distressing attimes. This is an inflammatory response to either knownor unknown allergen. The symptomatic relief in ARusing topical steroid Fluticasone propionate andantihistaminic Azelastine Hydrochloride in acombination has been studied. Very few studies showingcomparison between these two drugs in a combinationand steroid alone are available in the literature. Aim andObjectives: To study the effectiveness of topicaltreatment using corticosteroid Fluticasone propionateand antihistaminic in a combination versus Fluticasonepropionate alone in patients of AR. Material andMethods: The cases presented with symptoms ofallergic rhinitis were randomized in two groups at startof treatment. All cases of Group I were treated withFluticasone propionate whereas of Group II withFluticasone propionate and Azelastine hydrochloridecombination. In each group, the individual symptomscores were recorded pre-treatment and post-treatmentat the end of four weeks with the help of symptomevaluation scale. Based on these individual symptomscores, the Total Symptom Score (TSS) was calculated.The effectiveness of group specific drugs was evaluatedby comparing individual and TSS. Results: After fourweeks, both TSS and individual symptom score werereduced in either group (p<0.05). Further, Group IIspecific drug was found more effective than Group-I inrelieving symptoms of AR. Conclusion: TSS decreasedby an average of 84.14% in Group-I (i.e. treated withFluticasone propionate) and by 91.16% in Group–II (i.e.treated with Fluticasone propionate and Azelastinehydrochloride I in a combination).