title: Intranasal phototherapy versus azelastine in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It has been suggested that intranasal phototherapy represents an alternative choice in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR). Our aim was to compare the efficacy of intranasal phototherapy with that of azelastine in patients with SAR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy seven patients were randomly assigned to the two treatment groups: Group A (phototherapy) and Group B (azelastine). Subjective and objective outcomes were represented by changes in Total Nasal Symptom Score (TNSS), Quality of life scores (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire - RQLQ), and nasal resistance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The study demonstrated that both azelastine and intranasal phototherapy are able to significantly improve TNSS, including individual nasal symptoms. Nevertheless, phototherapy reduced nasal obstruction better than azelastine (p=0.038). Both treatments were highly effective in improving RQLQ scores overall and in seven separate domains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Whether intranasal phototheraphy will be a standard treatment of SAR or not should be appraised in future studies and clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: IInd Department of Otolaryngology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Cluj-Napoca, Romania. silviualbu63@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Silviu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Albu
authors.forename: Sorin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baschir
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D000328:Adult; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000379:methods*; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000628:therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D010793:Phthalazines; C020976:azelastine