Nasal saline irrigation facilitates control of allergic rhinitis by topical steroid in children.
OBJECTIVE
This study was designed to determine whether nasal saline irrigation improved the symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis (AR) and whether nasal saline irrigation could be used as a complementary management of AR in children while less steroids were used.


METHODS
26 children with AR were divided into three groups and were given nasal saline irrigation and/or topical steroid. Symptoms and signs of AR and mucociliary clearance (MCC) were evaluated, and concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 in nasal secretion was detected.


RESULTS
In AR children treated with nasal irrigation and tapered topical steroid at week 8 and week 12, a significant improvement in symptoms and signs was observed, and a significant decrease in the mean values of MCC and the mean concentrations of sICAM-1 in nasal secretions was also detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Nasal saline irrigation can be viewed as a good adjunctive treatment option for AR. It permitted the use of less topical steroids for controlling AR in children, which will contribute to fewer side effects and less economic burden.
Li
Huabin
H
Department of Otolaryngology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, PR China.
Sha
Quan
Q
Zuo
Kejun
K
Jiang
Hongyan
H
Cheng
Lei
L
Shi
Jianbo
J
Xu
Geng
G
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000336:Aerosols; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004357:Drug Synergism; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D009079:Mucociliary Clearance; D055556:Nasal Lavage; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000336:Aerosols; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D019819:Budesonide