title: Treatment of allergic rhinitis with desloratadine: results of a multinational observational study in the middle East gulf region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  : Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects up to 36% of the population in the Middle East Gulf States. The second-generation nonsedating antihistamine desloratadine has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the treatment of AR; however, few studies have evaluated this agent in Arab and Asian populations in the Middle East.
  
  
  METHODS
  : This open-label study enrolled subjects ≥12 years with moderate-to-severe AR; they received desloratadine 5 mg QD for 2 weeks. Endpoints included change in mean individual nasal and ocular symptom scores, total symptom score (TSS), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and percentage improvement in global response to therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  : There were 602 subjects from 5 Middle East countries enrolled. After 2 weeks, desloratadine significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced mean scores for individual nasal and total ocular symptom scores and TSS. PNIF measures of nasal congestion were significantly (P < 0.0001) improved after treatment. Most subjects obtained complete (38.1%) or marked (47.2%) relief of AR symptoms. Treatment failure was reported in 2.2% of subjects. No adverse events were reported, and no subjects discontinued treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  : Most subjects reported significant symptom relief with desloratadine 5 mg/d for 2 weeks. Desloratadine is effective in the treatment of AR in Arab and Asian subjects in the Middle East Gulf region.
authors.affiliation: From the Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt, Al Noor Hospital, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
authors.forename: Tamer M H
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Adham