Patient preferences and sensory comparisons of three intranasal corticosteroids for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
BACKGROUND
Although they have comparable safety and efficacy profiles, different intranasal corticosteroids possess different sensory/chemical properties that can be easily differentiated by patients, and which may influence their preference and compliance.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to compare patient assessments of sensory attributes of three intranasal corticosteroid sprays: triamcinolone acetonide aqueous (TAA), fluticasone propionate (FP), and mometasone furoate (MF).


METHODS
In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, crossover study, 95 patients with allergic rhinitis rated 14 sensory items (100-point scales), product preference, and likelihood of compliance with treatment.


RESULTS
Immediately after administration, compared with MF, TAA was rated as having significantly better comfort during administration, less irritation, less odor strength, preferred odor, more moistness of nose/throat, milder taste (all P < or = 0.001), and preferred taste (P < or = 0.01). Compared with FP, TAA was rated as having significantly less odor strength, preferred odor (both P < or = 0.001), more moistness of nose/throat (P < or = 0.01), and milder taste (P < or = 0.05). Two minutes after application, TAA was rated as having less aftertaste than FP (P < or = 0.01) or MF (P < or = 0.001), and produced significantly less irritation (FP P < or = 0.05; MF P < or = 0.01). Of patients, 54.7% said they would prefer a prescription of TAA over one for MF (24.2%; P = 0.001) or FP (21.1%; P = 0.001). More patients indicated that they would be more compliant with treatment if given the TAA prescription (67.4%) than if given a prescription with FP (54.7%) or MF (49.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Several of the TAA sensory attributes were preferred over those of MF and FP. Patient preference may play a role in enhancing treatment compliance. Such findings indicate that TAA nasal spray may be a better choice than MF or FP in the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.
Bachert
Claus
C
Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium. Claus.bachert@rug.ac.be
El-Akkad
Tarek
T
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000336:Aerosols; D000368:Aged; D000730:Androstadienes / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010465:Perception; D011244:Pregnadienediols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000336:Aerosols; D000730:Androstadienes; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011244:Pregnadienediols; D000068656:Mometasone Furoate; D000068298:Fluticasone; D014222:Triamcinolone Acetonide