Treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis by Chinese herbal medicine: a randomized placebo controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is widely used to treat seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR), however, evidence of efficacy is lacking.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the efficacy of a Chinese herbal formulation for the treatment of SAR.


METHODS
Randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial.


METHODS
RMIT Chinese Medicine Clinic.


METHODS
55 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis (active 28, placebo 27).


METHODS
CHM extract capsule (containing 18 herbs) or placebo, given daily for 8 weeks.


METHODS
The primary measure of efficacy were changes in severity of nasal and non-nasal symptoms using a Five Point Scale (FPS) measured by both patients and the practitioner. The secondary measure was the change in score for the domains measured in the Rhinoconjunctivitis and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) assessed by patients.


RESULTS
Forty-nine patients completed the study (active 24, placebo 25). After eight weeks, the severity of nasal symptoms and non-nasal symptoms were significantly less in the active treatment group than in the control group, both for measurements made by patients and those by the practitioner. Comparison of active and placebo treatment groups RQLQ scores also indicated significant beneficial effects of treatment (end point Section 1: P < 0.05; Section 2: P < 0.01). Intention-to-treat analyses of categorical items showed moderate to marked improvement rates were 60.7% and 29.6% for active and placebo respectively. Eleven patients reported mild adverse events including 1 withdrawn from the trial.


CONCLUSIONS
This CHM formulation appears to offer symptomatic relief and improvement of quality of life for some patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.
Xue
Charlie C
CC
RMIT Chinese Medicine Research Group, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Bundoora, Australia.
Thien
Francis C
FC
Zhang
Jerry J
JJ
Da Costa
Cliff
C
Li
Chun G
CG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008517:Phytotherapy; D011788:Quality of Life; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal