Socioeconomic status and different forms of rhinitis in Swedish adults.

BACKGROUND: Rhinitis encompasses diverse forms. Each form has distinct pathophysiology and clinical manifestations and may be influenced by differential risk factors. The association between socioeconomic status (SES) and different forms of rhinitis remains poorly understood. Our aim was to examine SES variations in allergic rhinitis, chronic rhinitis, and chronic rhinosinusitis in adults. METHODS: Based on a 2016 postal questionnaire survey within the West Sweden Asthma Study, we analyzed data from 36,213 subjects aged 16-75 years. The measures of SES were levels of education and occupation. Adjusted logistic regression was used to examine associations between SES and the rhinitis outcomes. RESULTS: Attaining a secondary school and tertiary education, compared to a primary school, were associated with increased risk of allergic rhinitis (secondary OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.22-1.45; tertiary 1.54, 1.41-1.69) and chronic rhinitis (secondary 1.18, 1.08-1.29; tertiary 1.17, 1.06-1.28). The influence of occupation was consistent with respect to allergic rhinitis. For instance, compared to the lowest occupational skill level, the highest level (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.04-1.48) and the lower high occupation levels (1.24, 1.04-1.49) were associated with an increased risk of allergic rhinitis. No significant link was found between education and chronic rhinosinusitis or between occupation levels and risk of either chronic rhinitis or chronic rhinosinusitis. CONCLUSION: Individuals with higher education and those at higher occupational levels may be at higher risk of having different forms of rhinitis than those at lower education and occupation levels. Assessment of rhinitis burden via SES can be one strategy to develop preventive strategies.

Baseline spirometry parameters as predictors of airway hyperreactivity in adults with suspected asthma.

BACKGROUND: Methacholine challenge tests (MCTs) are used to diagnose airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in patients with suspected asthma where previous diagnostic testing has been inconclusive. The test is time consuming and usually requires referral to specialized centers. Simple methods to predict AHR could help determine which patients should be referred to MCTs, thus avoiding unnecessary testing. Here we investigated the potential use of baseline spirometry variables as surrogate markers for AHR in adults with suspected asthma. METHODS: Baseline spirometry and MCTs performed between 2013 and 2019 in a large tertiary center were retrospectively evaluated. Receiver-operating characteristic curves for the maximal expiratory flow-volume curve indices (angle ß, FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, FEF50%, FEF25-75%) were constructed to assess their overall accuracy in predicting AHR and optimal cutoff values were identified. RESULTS: A total of 2983 tests were analyzed in adults aged 18-40 years. In total, 14% of all MCTs were positive (PC20 ≤ 16 mg/ml). All baseline spirometry parameters were significantly lower in the positive group (p < 0.001). FEF50% showed the best overall accuracy (AUC = 0.688) and proved to be useful as a negative predictor when applying FEF50% ≥ 110% as a cutoff level. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the role of FEF50% in predicting AHR in patients with suspected asthma. A value of ≥ 110% for baseline FEF50% could be used to exclude AHR and would lead to a substantial decrease in MCT referrals.

The triad of current asthma, rhinitis and eczema is uncommon among adults: Prevalence, sensitization profiles, and risk factors.

BACKGROUND: Coexistence of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema has been studied in children, but data are lacking in adults. As new treatments emerge, epidemiological data on the coexistence are needed. AIMS: To study the prevalence of concomitant asthma, rhinitis and eczema in the general adult population and among those sensitized to aeroallergens, and to study associations between background characteristics and risks of phenotypes of asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. METHODS: In the West Sweden Asthma Study, phenotypes and sensitization profiles of 1103 randomly selected adults (16-75 years) were assessed. The methods included measures of serum-IgE and structured interviews on asthma, rhinitis, eczema, their associated symptoms, and relevant risk factors. RESULTS: Among all participants and in those sensitized, 2% and 6% had concomitant asthma, rhinitis, and eczema, respectively, and the condition did not differ by age or sex. Corresponding figures for asthma and rhinitis, but not eczema, was 8% and 19%, respectively. Determinants of coexistence of the three conditions were family history of asthma/allergy, body mass index, and occupational exposure to gas, dust and fumes. Allergic sensitization in those with asthma, rhinitis and eczema was found in 78%, in those with asthma and rhinitis but not eczema in 65%, in those with asthma and eczema but not rhinitis in 40%, while only 5% were sensitized among those having asthma only. CONCLUSIONS: In the general adult population about 2% have concomitant asthma, rhinitis, and eczema. Of sensitized adults, about 6% has coexistence of the three conditions.

Small and large airway reactions to osmotic stimuli in asthma and chronic idiopathic cough.

BACKGROUND: Chronic cough is a common symptom and related to several pulmonary, airway and heart diseases. When all likely medical explanations for the coughing are excluded, there remains a large group of patients with chronic coughing, which is mostly a cough reflex easily triggered by environmental irritants and noxious stimuli. The main aim of this study was to improve the diagnostic ability to differentiate chronic idiopathic cough (CIC) from asthma. METHODS: Twenty-three patients with CIC, 16 patients with mild asthma and 21 control participants were included. The study consisted of three randomised bronchial provocations with osmotic stimuli: mannitol, eucapnic dry air and hypertonic saline. At each provocation lung function was assessed by spirometry and impulse oscillometry (IOS). RESULTS: In a comparison of the groups, while the FEV1 measurements did not differ, the CIC group had increased airway resistance and reactance after provocation with hypertonic saline compared to the control subjects. After mannitol provocation the patients with asthma had significantly increased airway resistance compared to the controls and from eucapnic dry air provocations these patients had a significant reduction in spirometry values and increased airway resistance compared to both the patients with CIC and the controls. CONCLUSION: The asthma group reacted in a predictable way with impaired lung function from osmotic provocations, whereas the patients with CIC demonstrated peripheral airway changes from hypertonic saline, also known to be a noxious stimulus. The IOS method uncovers differences between patients with CIC and control participants that contribute to our ability to provide a correct diagnosis.

Use of a basophil activation test as a complementary diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of severe peanut allergy in adults.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of severe peanut allergy is difficult and delays in making an accurate diagnosis may place the patient at risk. Adults with a history of anaphylaxis must strictly avoid any contact with peanuts or products that may contain traces of peanuts. For these persons, conventional evaluations with skin prick testing (SPT) and IgE tests may not be sufficient to assess the risk of anaphylaxis. Therefore, we investigated whether the basophil activation test (BAT) could be used for the diagnosis of severe peanut allergy in adults. We compared the non-invasive BAT with conventional laboratory diagnostic tests, including SPT and specific IgE to allergen extracts and components, for the diagnosis of severe peanut allergy. METHODS: Forty-seven persons with severe allergy to peanuts and a clinical diagnosis of anaphylaxis (PA-group), 22 subjects with peanut sensitization (PS-group) and 22 control (C-group) subjects, all in the age range of 18-60 years, were recruited retrospectively and prospectively into the study. Thirty-four patients with peanut allergy and 11 peanut-sensitized patients were sensitized to soy, while 36 patients in the PA-group and 20 patients in the PS-group were sensitized to birch pollen. All the patients and control subjects were investigated with BAT and SPT for responses to peanut, soy and birch extracts and their serum samples were assayed for the presence of specific IgE to peanut, soy and birch extracts, as well as IgE to allergen components (ISAC). RESULTS: In a multivariate factor analysis, severe peanut allergy (PA) was positively associated with SPT to peanut, IgE to peanut, BAT to peanut and IgE to rAra h 1, 2, 3 and 6 peanut components, as well as to soy components (nGly m 5 and nGly m 6). In contrast, peanut sensitization was positively associated with increased levels of IgE to rAra h 8, birch and birch-related components. BAT-detected reactivity to peanut was significantly higher in patients who had a history of severe allergy to peanuts, as compared with patients who were sensitized to peanuts (p < 0.001), and the receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed that BAT had high sensitivity and specificity for predicting severe peanut allergy, with a ROC area under the curve of 0.862. However, in the PA-group, the BAT results for peanut correlated only weakly with the levels of IgE to rAra h 1, 2 and 3 and nAra h 6. STUDY LIMITATIONS: oral provocation in the patients with a history of severe peanut allergy could not be performed to compare clinical reactivity with the BAT result due to ethical constraints. Neither was it possible to perform BAT with peanut recombinant allergens which were not available at the time the study commenced. CONCLUSIONS: BAT is useful in determining the severity of peanut allergy and may be used as a complementary diagnostic tool to ensure accurate diagnosis of severe peanut allergy in adults. Thus, it may reduce the need to subject these patients to further tests, including an open challenge with peanuts.

Capsaicin cough threshold test in diagnostics.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with chronic unexplained cough, there is a recognized subgroup with respiratory symptoms induced by environmental irritants like chemicals and odours. The diagnosis of sensory hyperreactivity (SHR) has been suggested for this group of patients and can be made using a tidal breathing capsaicin inhalation test. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of a single-breath, dose-response capsaicin threshold test to discriminate such patients from control subjects. METHODS: A total of 46 patients with chronic cough and SHR who had previously shown a positive reaction in accordance with limits set for a tidal breathing capsaicin test were tested once with a single-breath, dose-response capsaicin cough threshold test, assessing capsaicin concentrations to evoke 2 (C2), 5 (C5) or 10 (C10) coughs. Twenty-nine subjectively healthy control subjects were also included and tested with the threshold method. RESULTS: Patients had significantly lower C2, C5 and C10 in comparison to controls. From the results among patients and controls, sensitivity and specificity were calculated, and a receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed, showing excellent ability for C5 and C10 to discriminate patients from control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: For patients with SHR and chronic cough, capsaicin cough sensitivity was once again confirmed to be increased, in this case, using the single-breath dose-response method. Limits set for cough reactions regarded as more sensitive than normal can be useful in diagnostics and further research. C5 seems to be the best measure to use in research and differential diagnostics.

Intestinal allergic inflammation in birch pollen allergic patients in relation to pollen season, IgE sensitization profile and gastrointestinal symptoms.

BACKGROUND: Birch pollen allergic patients frequently experience gastrointestinal upset accompanied by a local allergic inflammation in the small intestine especially during the pollen season. However, it is not known if the GI pathology is connected to the subjective symptoms of the patient. The objective of this study was to evaluate the immune pathology of the duodenal mucosa and the serum IgE antibody profiles in birch pollen allergic patients in relation to their gastrointestinal symptoms, during and outside the birch pollen season. METHODS: Thirty-two patients with birch pollen allergy and sixteen healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Twenty allergic patients had gastrointestinal symptoms and twelve did not. All participants underwent an allergy investigation and gastroscopy with duodenal biopsy. The duodenal biopsies were retrieved during the pollen season (May-June) and off-season (November-March). The biopsies were immunostained for mast cells (IgE and tryptase), eosinophils, T cells (CD3), and dendritic cells (CD11c). Pollen-specific IgE antibodies were determined by ImmunoCAP and component microarray (ISAC). RESULTS: Patients in both pollen allergic groups showed similar degree of intestinal allergic inflammation during the pollen season regardless of gastrointestinal symptoms. The eosinophils, mast cells and dendritic cells were increased in the mucosa. Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms had significantly elevated IgE antibodies to birch (rBet v 1), hazelnut (rCor a 1), and apple (rMal d1) during the pollen season. CONCLUSIONS: Patients allergic to birch pollen have clear signs of an ongoing allergic inflammation in their intestinal mucosa, which is aggravated during the pollen season. The magnitude of the allergic intestinal inflammation is not associated with subjective gastrointestinal symptoms of the individual patient.

Combination of budesonide/formoterol on demand improves asthma control by reducing exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.

BACKGROUND: In mild asthma exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) is usually treated with inhaled short-acting ß2 agonists (SABAs) on demand. OBJECTIVE: The hypothesis was that a combination of budesonide and formoterol on demand diminishes EIB equally to regular inhalation of budesonide and is more effective than terbutaline inhaled on demand. METHODS: Sixty-six patients with asthma (>12 years of age) with verified EIB were randomised to terbutaline (0.5 mg) on demand, regular budesonide (400 µg) and terbutaline (0.5 mg) on demand, or a combination of budesonide (200 µg) + formoterol (6 µg) on demand in a 6-week, double-blind, parallel-group study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00989833). The patients were instructed to perform three to four working sessions per week. The main outcome was EIB 24 h after the last dosing of study medication. RESULTS: After 6 weeks of treatment with regular budesonide or budesonide+formoterol on demand the maximum post-exercise forced expiratory volume in 1 s fall, 24 h after the last medication, was 6.6% (mean; 95% CI -10.3 to -3.0) and 5.4% (-8.9 to -1.8) smaller, respectively. This effect was superior to inhalation of terbutaline on demand (+1.5%; -2.1 to +5.1). The total budesonide dose was approximately 2.5 times lower in the budesonide+formoterol group than in the regular budesonide group. The need for extra medication was similar in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: The combination of budesonide and formoterol on demand improves asthma control by reducing EIB in the same order of magnitude as regular budesonide treatment despite a substantially lower total steroid dose. Both these treatments were superior to terbutaline on demand, which did not alter the bronchial response to exercise. The results question the recommendation of prescribing SABAs as the only treatment for EIB in mild asthma.

The duration of bronchodilation of salmeterol and salbutamol as measured by specific airway conductance in healthy subjects.

According to the duration of bronchodilation, beta-2-agonists are divided into short and long acting bronchodilators. The bronchodilatory effect of available long acting beta-2-agonists (LABAs) beyond 12 h is not sufficiently studied. In order to evaluate the bronchodilatory effects of LABA in subjects without airway obstruction, the measurement of specific airway conductance (sGaw) with whole body plethysmography has been demonstrated to be a sensitive method. We aimed to determine the bronchodilatory effects of single doses of salmeterol 25, 50 and 200 µg and salbutamol 200 µg in healthy subjects (n = 16) over a 24 h period in a randomized, double-blind, triple-dummy, placebo-controlled cross-over-study. At the 12-h endpoint, all three doses of salmeterol significantly increased sGaw compared with placebo. At the 24-h endpoint, there was a significant increase in sGaw with salmeterol 200 µg, while with 25 and 50 µg salmeterol the sGaw increase failed to reach statistical significance. There was no statistically significant increase in sGaw with salbutamol 200 µg at either the 12-h or 24-h endpoints. For weighted means, all three salmeterol doses showed statistically significant increase in sGaw compared with placebo over 0-12, 12-24 and 0-24 h periods, while for salbutamol 200 µg a significant increase in sGaw was recorded only over 0-12 h period. We conclude that sGaw measurement is a suitable method for recording the bronchodilatory effect of beta-2-agonists in healthy subjects. Using this method we could demonstrate that salmeterol 200 µg provides significant increase in specific airway conductance up to 24 h after a single dose.

Prevalence of chronic nasal symptoms in West Sweden: risk factors and relation to self-reported allergic rhinitis and lower respiratory symptoms.

BACKGROUND: There are few population-based studies on chronic nasal symptoms and little is known about their prevalence and determinants, or their association with allergic rhinitis and asthma. METHODS: A questionnaire focused on respiratory symptoms and conditions was mailed in 2008 to 30,000 randomly selected subjects aged 16-75 years in West Sweden, 29,218 could be traced and 18,087 (62%) responded. The questionnaire included questions on self-reported allergic rhinitis, asthma, lower respiratory and nasal symptoms and possible determinants. RESULTS: Nasal congestion was reported by 14.9% and runny nose by 13.1% of subjects. In total, 19.8% had chronic nasal symptoms. Subjects with chronic nasal symptoms had considerably more symptoms from the lower airways compared with nonrhinitic subjects and vice versa. Forty-seven percent of the subjects with chronic nasal symptoms had concurrent self-reported allergic rhinitis. Several hereditary and environmental factors were associated with chronic rhinitis, including family history of asthma [odds ratio (OR) 1.27; 95% confidence interval 1.07-1.50], family history of allergy (OR 1.74; 1.57-1.92) and current smoking (OR 1.39; 1.25-1.54). Further, chronic nasal symptoms were increasingly prevalent with an increasing degree of urbanization. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of chronic nasal symptoms in West Sweden was found to be high and strongly associated both with self-reported allergic rhinitis and symptoms from the lower airways. Moreover, several risk factors were identified for chronic nasal symptoms, including family history of allergy and asthma and smoking.

Quantitative expression of osteopontin in nasal mucosa of patients with allergic rhinitis: effects of pollen exposure and nasal glucocorticoid treatment.

BACKGROUND: Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional cytokine that has been primarily investigated in Th1 diseases. Recently, it has also been implicated in Th2-mediated allergic diseases, such as asthma. The expression of OPN in allergic rhinitis (AR) is currently unknown, as is the effect of intranasal glucocorticosteroids (GCs) on that expression. METHODS: Subjects with AR were randomised to receive treatment with fluticasone propionate (FP) (n = 12) or a placebo (n = 16) over the grass pollen season and nasal biopsies were taken prior to, and during the season. OPN expression in the nasal mucosa was examined with immunohistochemistry. Healthy non-AR controls (n = 5) were used as a comparator. RESULTS: OPN expression was detected in epithelial cells, subepithelial infiltrating/inflammatory cells and cells lining the vessels and glands of all subjects. Comparison of the pre- and peak-pollen season biopsy sections in placebo treated patients revealed no increase in OPN expression during the grass pollen season (5.7% vs 6.4%). Treatment with a local glucocorticosteroid did not alter the expression of OPN during pollen exposure (6.2% vs 6.7%). CONCLUSION: OPN has been increasingly associated with the pathogenesis of various Th2-mediated diseases. However, our finding that the OPN expression in the nasal mucosa of AR patients is not significantly affected by allergen exposure and is comparable to that of the healthy controls, suggests that intracellular OPN is not directly involved in the pathogenesis of allergic rhinitis.

Fast onset of effect of budesonide/formoterol versus salmeterol/fluticasone and salbutamol in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and reversible airway obstruction.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Data on the onset of action of COPD medications are lacking. This study compared the onset of bronchodilation following different inhaled therapies in patients with moderate-to-severe COPD and reversible airway obstruction. METHODS: In this double-blind, double-dummy, crossover study, 90 patients (aged >or=40 years; FEV(1) 30-70% predicted) were randomized to a single dose (two inhalations) of budesonide/formoterol 160/4.5 microg, salmeterol/fluticasone 25/250 microg, salbutamol 100 microg or placebo (via pressurized metered-dose inhalers) on four visits. The primary end-point was change in FEV(1) 5 min after drug inhalation; secondary end-points included inspiratory capacity (IC) and perception of onset of effect. RESULTS: Budesonide/formoterol significantly improved FEV(1) at 5 min compared with placebo (P < 0.0001) and salmeterol/fluticasone (P = 0.0001). Significant differences were first observed at 3 min. Onset of effect was similar with budesonide/formoterol and salbutamol. Improvements in FEV(1) following active treatments were superior to placebo after 180 min (all P < 0.0001); both combinations were better than salbutamol at maintaining FEV(1) improvements (P

Effect of intrapleural streptokinase administration on antistreptokinase antibody level in patients with loculated pleural effusions.

BACKGROUND: Streptokinase is widely used IV for the treatment of myocardial infarction and intrapleurally for the treatment of loculated pleural effusions. IV administration of streptokinase is known to cause the production of antistreptokinase antibodies. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the intrapleural administration of streptokinase results in a similar elevation of the serum antistreptokinase antibody level. METHODS: During 1 year, venous blood samples were taken from 16 consecutive patients (10 men and 6 women; age range, 22 to 60 years) requiring intrapleural streptokinase administration (250,000 IU once a day, for 2 to 6 days). Blood samples were taken before treatment, on day 5, and day 14. Antistreptokinase antibodies were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and were expressed in arbitrary ELISA units. Four patients with myocardial infarction treated with IV streptokinase (1,500,000 IU) were included as control subjects for the method. RESULTS: Before treatment, the median antistreptokinase antibody level in patients with loculated pleural effusions was 729 ELISA units (range, 196 to 13,529 ELISA units) and increased to 9,240 ELISA units (range, 1,456 to 77,389 ELISA units) by day 14 (p < 0.0001). In the control group, the median pretreatment level was 119 ELISA units, and by day 14 it had increased to 20,495 ELISA units. Four patients who developed an elevated body temperature after intrapleural administration of streptokinase had a significantly higher pretreatment antistreptokinase antibody level compared to other patients. CONCLUSIONS: The intrapleural administration of streptokinase results in the elevation of the serum antistreptokinase antibody level, which is similar to the case with IV administration. An increased pretreatment antistreptokinase antibody level does not influence the result of intrapleural fibrinolysis but can cause an elevation of body temperature after the administration of streptokinase.

Cytokine modulation for anti-allergic treatment.

In the complex pathogenesis of airway inflammation seen in asthma, several cytokines are recognized to play a crucial role. Modulation of the effect of these cytokines can provide alternative and more specific treatment approach to currently widely-used systemic immunosuppression by glucocorticoids. Theoretically, cytokine modulation can be achieved via several pathways, including inhibition of released cytokines by using antibodies or soluble receptors, blocking cytokine receptors, inhibiting signal transduction or preventing cytokine gene transcription. Also, some cytokines are known to possess anti-inflammatory effects in allergic inflammation, being thus themselves potentially used as a therapeutic agent. The current review discusses the present knowledge on the involvement of cytokines in the pathogenesis of allergic asthma and the experience on modulation of the effect of these cytokines in clinical situations.

Intranasal fluticasone propionate inhibits allergen induced bone marrow eosinophilia in mice.

Local corticosteroids are currently the most efficient safe anti-allergic treatment, which attenuate eosinophilic tissue inflammation through several mechanisms. We evaluated the effect of local airways corticosteroid on repeated allergen exposure-induced bone marrow activation and airway eosinophilia using the number of eosinophils in bone marrow, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALf) and airways tissue as study end-points. Male BALB/c mice were sensitized by intraperitoneal injections of aluminum-precipitated ovalbumin (OVA) on two different days (5 days apart). Eight days after the second sensitization, the animals were challenged intranasally with OVA or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) on 5 consecutive days. Concomitantly with challenges mice were treated with fluticasone propionate or respective vehicle. OVA exposures induced a significant increase in eosinophil numbers in bone marrow, BALf and airways tissue (P<0.005). Treatment with fluticasone propionate significantly reduced the increase of absolute number of mature bone marrow eosinophils (P=0.014) and showed a tendency towards decrease in the immature bone marrow eosinophil number (P=0.057) compared to controls. However, fluticasone propionate had no significant effect on BALf and airways tissue eosinophils (P=0.28 and 0.07, respectively). In this murine allergy model intranasal corticosteroid reduced number of bone marrow mature eosinophils, but did not significantly affect airways cell populations.

Comparison of a nasal glucocorticoid, antileukotriene, and a combination of antileukotriene and antihistamine in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis requires active intervention for symptom relief. A combination of antileukotriene and antihistamine drugs has been suggested to provide additive treatment benefits for patients with allergic rhinitis. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated how such a combination treatment would affect symptoms and local mucosal eosinophilia in comparison with a nasal glucocorticoid. METHODS: In a double-blind, randomized study 62 patients with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis received a nasal glucocorticoid (fluticasone propionate aqueous nasal spray [FPANS], 200 microg/d), an antileukotriene (montelukast, 10 mg/d), a combination of montelukast with an antihistamine (loratadine, 10 mg/d), or placebo throughout the season. Cromoglycate eyedrops and a limited amount of loratadine were allowed as rescue medication for severe symptoms. Patients recorded their symptoms for nasal blockage, itching, rhinorrhea, and sneezing. Before and during the season, nasal biopsy specimens were obtained from patients for evaluation of local eosinophilic inflammation. RESULTS: During the peak season, both FPANS and combined montelukast-loratadine were significantly more effective than placebo and montelukast alone for daytime symptom prevention. For nighttime symptoms, FPANS was significantly more effective compared with all other treatments, whereas combined montelukast-loratadine and montelukast alone did not provide significant symptom prevention compared with placebo. The pollen-induced increase in the numbers of epithelial eosinophils was significantly lower for FPANS-treated patients compared with that seen in all other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: In patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, intranasal glucocorticoids are more effective than an antileukotriene drug or combined antileukotriene-antihistamine for the reduction of pollen-induced nasal eosinophilic inflammation and for control of nasal symptoms.