Effect of botulinum toxin type A on nasal symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the possible beneficial effects of botulinum toxin type A (BTX-A) on nasal symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR).


METHODS
Thirty-four patients (21 females, 13 males; mean age 28 years) were included in the study. AR was diagnosed by means of history, clinical examination and skin prick test. Patients were randomly divided into 3 subgroups a follows: in Group A, 20 units of BTX-A was injected into each nasal cavity (total 40 units); in Group B, 30 units of BTX-A was injected into each nasal cavity (total 60 units); and in Group C, 2 ml of isotonic saline was injected as placebo. The symptoms of AR (rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, sneezing, itching) were scored by the patient on a six-point scale (from 0 to 5). All of the patients were followed up at Weeks 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8; at each visit an anterior rhinoscopic examination was done and symptom scores were recorded.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between Groups A and B in terms of average symptom scores. Rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction and sneezing scores in Groups A and B were significantly better than those in Group C at all time points. Although itching scores were significantly lower at Weeks 1 and 2, there was no difference in the Week 4, 6 and 8 scores in Groups A and B. When total symptom scores were evaluated, the results for Groups A and B were similar but significantly better than those for Group C.


CONCLUSIONS
In selected cases, injection of 40 units of BTX-A into the turbinates, as a single agent, may help the symptomatic control of AR for up to 8 weeks.
Unal
Murat
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mersin University School of Medicine, Mersin, Turkey. muunal@hotmail.com
Sevim
Serhan
S
Doğu
Okan
O
Vayisoğlu
Yusuf
Y
Kanik
Arzu
A
D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A