Rhinitis symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic perennial rhinitis treated with desloratadine

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the outcome and the change in quality of life of patients with chronic rhinitis after treatment with desloratadine. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective, open-label, non-blinded, non-randomised study of patients in a secondary and tertiary ENT referral centre. METHODS: Chinese patients with chronic rhinitis were recruited. The patients were assessed by a questionnaire that included rhinitis symptoms score and SF-36 health survey components. Endoscopic assessment was performed with a rigid nasoendoscope and scored according to the modified endoscopic appearance score of Lund and Kennedy. A 12-week course of desloratadine 5 mg daily was prescribed. Patients were re-evaluated after treatment. A total of 47 subjects completed the study. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in median rhinitis symptoms score, from six to five (p < 0.001), and in median endoscopic appearance score, from five to three (p < 0.001). Patients' general health perception was also improved after treatment (p == 0.022). CONCLUSION: Desloratadine may be an effective treatment which provides symptomatic relief and improves the quality of life in patients with chronic rhinitis.