title: Quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis: a clinical trial comparing the use of bilastine versus loratadine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether there were differences in health-related quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis treated with bilastine 20 mg compared to those treated with loratadine 10 mg.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective randomised double-blinded study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Otolaryngology outpatient clinics in Criciúma, state of Santa Catarina, Brazil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-three patients, aged between 18 and 63 years, of whom 36 were treated with loratadine 10 mg and 37 with bilastine 20 mg with medication administered once a day for 10 days.
  
  
  METHODS
  The outcome was quality of life as assessed by the modified Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQm), which was applied at baseline and after 10 days of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The use of bilastine 20 mg or loratadine 10 mg significantly reduced RQLQm scores after 10 days of treatment (P < 0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference between the two treatment groups (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Health-related quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis improved significantly after 10 days of treatment with loratadine and bilastine, and the effectiveness of both was equivalent.
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL), Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Locks
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Program in Health Sciences, University of Southern Santa Catarina (UNISUL), Palhoça, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Professor Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago, Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC), Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: da Silva
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001938:Brazil; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D017336:Loratadine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010880:Piperidines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D010880:Piperidines; D017336:Loratadine; C445659:bilastine