Levocetirizine improves nasal symptoms and airflow in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND Nasal obstruction is the main symptom in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. Some antihistamines have been demonstrated to be capable of improving this symptom. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate nasal symptoms, nasal airflow, and decongestent activity in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis, before and after treatment with levocetirizine or placebo. METHODS Forty patients with persistent allergic rhinitis were evaluated, 35 males and 5 females (mean age 23.3 +/- 5.9 years). All of them received levocetirizine (5 mg/daily) or placebo for 4 weeks. The study was double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, and randomized. Total symptom score (including: nasal itching, sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal obstruction) was assessed before and after treatment. Rhinomanometry and decongestion test were performed in all subjects before and after treatment. RESULTS Levocetirizine treatment induced: significant symptom relief (p<0.001), improved nasal airflow (p<0.001), reduction of reversibility percentage (p<0.05), and increase of total airflow after decongestion test (p<0.03). Placebo did not improve nasal symptoms and airflow. CONCLUSIONS This pilot study demonstrates the effectiveness of levocetirizine in: i) relieving nasal symptoms, including obstruction, ii) improving nasal airflow, and iii) exerting decongestant activity. Thus, these findings are the first evidence of the impact on airflow and the decongestant activity exerted by levocetirizine in persistent allergic rhinitis.