title: Rhinitis symptoms and quality of life in patients with chronic perennial rhinitis treated with desloratadine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the outcome and the change in quality of life of patients with chronic rhinitis after treatment with desloratadine.
  
  
  METHODS
  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).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Desloratadine may be an effective treatment which provides symptomatic relief and improves the quality of life in patients with chronic rhinitis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong. henrycklam@yahoo.com.hk
authors.forename: H C K
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: M C F
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Van Hasselt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating; D017336:Loratadine; C121345:desloratadine