RESUMO
Adequate treatment is critical for maintaining a good level of quality of life (QOL) during the pollen season in patients suffering from seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Olopatadine, a histamine H(1)-receptor antagonist, has been approved in the United States and Europe for the treatment of AR and allergic conjunctivitis as a nasal spray and an ophthalmic solution, respectively. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to determine whether orally administered olopatadine for prophylactic purposes might also be effective for the control of nasal allergy symptoms, especially nasal congestion, in patients with SAR due to Japanese cedar pollen (SAR-JP). A total of 110 patients with SAR caused by JP were randomized to the treatment. The subjects recorded their nasal and ocular allergic symptom scores in a diary, and their QOL was assessed by the Japanese version of the Rhinoconjunctivity Quality of Life Questionnaire. Treatment with oral olopatadine significantly suppressed sneezing (p < 0.001), rhinorrhea (p < 0.001), and nasal congestion (p < 0.05). The total QOL score during the peak JP season was superior in the olopatadine group than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). However, orally administered olopatadine did not exert any significant effect against eye itching and watering of the eyes, unlike olopatadine nasal spray. Treatment with olopatadine tablets yielded superior QOL scores in the domains of usual daily activities and outdoor activities when compared with placebo. No serious adverse effects of the treatment were reported during the study period. These results suggest that oral olopatadine treatment may be a useful alternative treatment strategy for AR.
