title: Intranasal budesonide in children affected by persistent allergic rhinitis and its effect on nasal patency and Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation (NOSE) score.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intranasal steroids are recognized as an effective treatment for allergic rhinitis (AR) although their effect on nasal patency has never been evaluated with an objective instrument such as anterior rhinomanometry in children. Moreover this effect has been widely assessed with total Nasal Symptom Scores (NSS) including all symptoms of allergic rhinitis and not with scores specifically focused on nasal obstruction such as the Nasal Obstruction Symptom Evaluation score (NOSE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty children (42 males and 18 female) aged 6-10 years, affected by persistent AR, were randomized and divided in two groups of 30 children to be included in an unblinded trial: one group treated with intranasal budesonide and isotonic nasal saline for 2 weeks and the other group treated only with isotonic nasal saline for 2 weeks. Each child underwent rhinomanometry and completed the NSS and the NOSE scores before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At the baseline nasal patency and NSS total score, NOSE total scores were correlated (r=-0.29, p<0.001; r=-60, p<0.001). After 2 weeks of treatment improvements in nasal patency, NSS and NOSE were seen (Δ NSS 4.13 ± 1.38 vs 1.33 ± 1.93, p<0.001; Δ NOSE 34 ± 17.97 vs 9 ± 18.21, p<0.001; Δ nasal patency -26.13 ± 25.25 vs -11.83 ± 11.31, p<0.001). Correlations were found between rhinitis duration and Δ nasal patency and Δ NOSE (r=-0.84, p<0.001; r=0.43, p<0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intranasal budesonide is effective in increasing nasal patency in children. Moreover the NOSE score was strongly correlated with nasal flow and, hence, this score should be regarded as a valid and reliable instrument in children.
authors: 'Sapienza' University of Rome, Department of Pediatrics , Rome , Italy.
authors: Anna Maria
authors: AM
authors: Zicari
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Occasi
authors: Giulia
authors: G
authors: Montanari
authors: Montanari
authors: M
authors: Giulia
authors: Luciana
authors: L
authors: Indinnimeo
authors: Giovanna
authors: G
authors: De Castro
authors: Giancarlo
authors: G
authors: Tancredi
authors: Marzia
authors: M
authors: Duse
mesh_terms: D000281:Administration, Intranasal; D019819:Budesonide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D025363:Rhinomanometry; D063189:Symptom Assessment / Q000379:methods; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D019819:Budesonide
keywords: Children; Intranasal budesonide; Nasal patency; Persistent allergic rhinitis; Rhinomanometry