title: Meta-analysis of the efficacy of ectoine nasal spray in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
abstract: Objectives. The meta-analysis aims to investigate the efficacy of ectoine nasal spray and eye drops in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms. Design and Methods. This meta-analysis is based on yet unpublished data of four studies. Both nasal and eye symptoms were documented in patient diary cards. All scales were transformed into a 4-point scale: 0 = no, 1 = mild, 2 = moderate, and 3 = severe symptoms. Each symptom was analysed individually in a meta-analysis of the area under the curve values as well as in a meta-analysis of pre- and posttreatment comparison. Results. After seven days of treatment with ectoine nasal spray both nasal and ocular symptoms decreased significantly. A strong reduction of symptom severity was shown for the parameters rhinorrhoea (31.76% reduction) and nasal obstruction (29.94% reduction). Furthermore, the meta-analyses of individual symptoms to investigate the strength of effect after seven days of medication intake showed significant improvement for nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea, nasal itching, sneezing, itching of eyes, and redness of eyes. The improvement of the symptom nasal obstruction was associated with a strong effect 0.53 (±0.26). Conclusions. The ectoine nasal spray and eye drops seem to be equally effective as guideline-recommended medication in the treatment of rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Lindenburger Allee 42, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eichel
authors.affiliation: Bitop AG, Stockumer Straße 28, 58453 Witten, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1849-2520
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bilstein
authors.affiliation: Bitop AG, Stockumer Straße 28, 58453 Witten, Germany.
authors.forename: Nina
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8371-0061
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Werkhäuser
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Cologne, Lindenburger Allee 42, 50931 Cologne, Germany.
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-1928-810X
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mösges