Effects of intranasal budesonide on symptoms, quality of life, and performance in elite athletes with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
OBJECTIVE
To assess change in symptoms, quality of life (QOL), and performance ability before, during, and after treatment with budesonide in a group of Olympic and Paralympic athletes with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR/C).


METHODS
Because budesonide has already been proven to be an effective and well-tolerated treatment of SAR/C(1), an open-label treatment format was used.


METHODS
The study was community-based with participating athletes preparing for Olympic competition.


METHODS
Olympic and Paralympic athletes were screened for the presence of SAR/C using history and positive skin test results for pollen allergens.


METHODS
All were offered treatment with intranasal budesonide, applied to each nostril, once daily for eight weeks.


METHODS
Symptom and medication diaries were completed before treatment and after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. Similarly, Quality of Life (QOL) was measured with the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire. As a secondary outcome measure, the ability to train and compete was assessed using a performance diary.


RESULTS
Of the 236 athletes eligible for the study, 145 (61%) agreed to participate. Forty-six percent of the athletes who were dispensed treatment did not return questionnaires. For those returning questionnaires, scores between baseline (week 0) and weeks 4 and 8 were calculated for total symptoms, QOL, and performance scores. There were statistically significant improvements in symptoms, QOL, and performance scores in athletes who used intranasal budesonide.


CONCLUSIONS
SAR/C is a common condition and has demonstrable negative effects on athletes. Better education of coaches and athletes is necessary to ensure that the condition is correctly diagnosed and treated, with safe, effective, permitted medication.
Katelaris
Constance H
CH
Institute of Immunology and Allergy Research, Westmead Hospital, Sydney, Australia. chk@allergyimmunol.com.au
Carrozzi
Fiona M
FM
Burke
Therese V
TV
Byth
Karen
K
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000397:Air Pollution / Q000032:analysis; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001315:Australia; D019819:Budesonide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000187:drug effects*; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013177:Sports; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019819:Budesonide