The effect of early radiofrequency turbinate reduction, intranasal steroid, and antihistamine H-1 on persistent allergic rhinitis: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency turbinate reduction as an initial treatment on clinical improvement, inflammatory mediators, and remodeling process. Methods: Between July 2018- February 2020, 32 patients with moderate-severe persistent AR were randomly divided into 2 groups. Intervention group received radiofrequency turbinate reduction followed by intranasal steroid and Antihistamine H-1 (AH-1), control group received intranasal steroid and AH-1. Both groups were evaluated for clinical improvement (using visual analogue scale based on total nasal symptoms score, peak nasal inspiratory flow, and turbinate size using imageJ) after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Inflammatory mediators (ELISA from nasal secretions was performed to measure ECP, IL-5, and HSP-70) and remodeling markers (nasal biopsy followed by immunohistochemistry examination was performed to evaluate MMP-9, TIMP-1, and PAI-1) were evaluated in week 4. Results: Three patients dropped out of the study, resulting in 16 patients in intervention group and 13 patients in control group. At week 4, clinical response improved significantly in the intervention group compared to control group (Chi-Square test, p<0.05). Compared to control, intervention group experienced a reduction of IL-5 and no significant change in ECP level (Mann Whitney test, p>0.05). Reduction in the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 were significantly higher in intervention group (unpaired t-test, p< 0,05). Meanwhile, increase in HSP-70 in the intervention group was slightly lower than in control group, but the difference with control group was not significant (Mann Whitney test, p>0.05). Conclusion: Early radiofrequency turbinate reduction followed by pharmacotherapy given to persistent moderate-severe AR patients give more improvement only in early clinical symptoms and reduce MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio, thus it might be suggested as one of the adjuvant therapies for the management of moderate-severe persistent AR. However, further investigation with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period is needed. Level of evidence: 1B.

The effect of early radiofrequency turbinate reduction, intranasal steroid, and antihistamine H-1 on persistent allergic rhinitis: a randomized clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to evaluate the effect of radiofrequency turbinate reduction as an initial treatment on clinical improvement, inflammatory mediators, and remodeling process. METHODS: Between July 2018-February 2020, 32 patients with moderate-severe persistent AR were randomly divided into 2 groups. Intervention group received radiofrequency turbinate reduction followed by intranasal steroid and Antihistamine H-1 (AH-1), control group received intranasal steroid and AH-1. Both groups were evaluated for clinical improvement (using visual analogue scale based on total nasal symptoms score, peak nasal inspiratory flow, and turbinate size using imageJ) after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Inflammatory mediators (ELISA from nasal secretions was performed to measure ECP, IL-5, and HSP-70) and remodeling markers (nasal biopsy followed by immunohistochemistry examination was performed to evaluate MMP-9, TIMP-1, and PAI-1) were evaluated in week 4. RESULTS: Three patients dropped out of the study, resulting in 16 patients in intervention group and 13 patients in control group. At week 4, clinical response improved significantly in the intervention group compared to control group (Chi-Square test, p < 0.05). Compared to control, intervention group experienced a reduction of IL-5 and no significant change in ECP level (Mann Whitney test, p > 0.05). Reduction in the ratio of MMP-9/TIMP-1 were significantly higher in intervention group (unpaired t-test, p < 0,05). Meanwhile, increase in HSP-70 in the intervention group was slightly lower than in control group, but the difference with control group was not significant (Mann Whitney test, p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Early radiofrequency turbinate reduction followed by pharmacotherapy given to persistent moderate-severe AR patients give more improvement only in early clinical symptoms and reduce MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio, thus it might be suggested as one of the adjuvant therapies for the management of moderate-severe persistent AR. However, further investigation with a larger sample size and longer follow-up period is needed. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 1B.

Effect of soy isoflavone supplementation on vascular endothelial function and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women: a community randomized controlled trial.

A 12-month randomized double blind controlled trial was conducted among 182 Indonesian postmenopausal women aged 47 to 60 years to determine the effect of 100 mg/day soy isoflavone supplementation on vascular endothelial function such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), nitric oxide (NO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) as oxidative stress marker. The subjects were randomized to the intervention group receiving tablets consisting of 100 mg soy isoflavones and calcium carbonate 500 mg, and to the control group receiving 500 mg calcium carbonate. The concentrations of VCAM-1, NO and MDA were measured at baseline, and postsupplementation at 6 months and 12 months. After supplementation, the MDA concentrations were significantly lower in the soy isoflavone group compared with the control group (p=0.001). The concentrations of VCAM-1 and NO were not affected (p=0.992 and p=0.759, respectively). In all group the MDA concentration increased compared with baseline concentrations but the relative change of MDA concentrations was significantly lower in the soy isoflavone group compared with the control group. This study demonstrates that supplemental intake of soy isoflavones for 6 months and 12 months had an effect on oxidative stress by decreasing MDA concentration, but did not improve vascular endothelial function.