title: Comparing the effects of ketotifen fumarate eye drops and ketotifen oral pills on symptom severity and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis: a double-blind randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic rhinitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of nasal mucosa. Previous studies have shown the therapeutic effects of ketotifen eye drops on allergic conjunctivitis and rhinitis patients. This study was designed to compare the effects of ketotifen drops and oral ketotifen pills on symptoms and quality of life in allergic rhinitis patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this double-blind randomized clinical trial, patients with mild allergic rhinitis who were referred to the allergy clinic of Baqiyatallah Hospital from March to April 2014 were randomly allocated to 2 groups; the first group received ketotifen drops (1 drop every 12 hours) with placebo pills (2 pills daily), and the second group received placebo eye drops with ketotifen pills for 4 weeks. Symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, itching, and nasal obstruction) severity were examined and Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores were evaluated in the second and fourth weeks.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 140 patients were evaluated in 2 groups. The mean age was 30.33 years. There were no significant differences in demographic data between the groups (p > 0.05). Both groups showed a significant improvement in rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, nasal itching, coughing, sneezing, RQLQ, and nasal smear eosinophil percent compared to baseline amounts (p < 0.05). Improvements were significantly more in the drops group (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Because of the absence of systemic complications in ketotifen eye drops in patients with allergic rhinitis and their easy availability in Iran, using this medication instead of systemic therapies is suggested. Nevertheless, more studies are required to evaluate the long-term effects of using this drug and the recurrence rate of symptoms.
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Asghar
authors: A
authors: Akhavan
authors: Students' Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Hamidreza
authors: H
authors: Karimi-Sari
authors: Students' Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammad Hossein
authors: MH
authors: Khosravi
authors: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Esmaeil
authors: E
authors: Arefzadeh
authors: Students' Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Mohammadhosein
authors: M
authors: Yavarahmadi
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D007665:Ketotifen
keywords: allergic rhinitis; ketotifen fumarate eye drops; ketotifen pills; quality of life; symptoms