title: Olfaction in patients with allergic rhinitis: an indicator of successful MP-AzeFlu therapy.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of MP-AzeFlu on olfaction and the interaction between severity of allergic rhinitis and olfactory improvement after therapy.
  
  
  
  A prospective, multicenter, observational study was performed on 47 patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. Duration and severity of allergic rhinitis was diagnosed and classified using the modified Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) criteria and the proof of allergen sensitization from positive skin-prick tests, specific immonoglobulin E (IgE) in serum, and nasal provocation response. Patients were treated with MP-AzeFlu (1 spray/nostril twice daily) over 3 months. Olfactory function was assessed at baseline and at 1 and 3 months of therapy using the "Sniffin' Sticks" test. In addition, a nasal symptom score was recorded on a visual analog scale (VAS) at each given time-point.
  
  
  
  MP-AzeFlu was found to be associated with a significant improvement in TDI score, from 23.7 at baseline to 34.2 at 1 month (p < 0.001) and 37.1 at 3 months (p < 0.001) of treatment. Furthermore, a highly significant improvement of symptoms over time (p < 0.001; VAS at baseline: 84.3; 1 month: 32.4; 3 months: 26.2) could be demonstrated. Most importantly, there was a highly significant interaction between the severity of allergic rhinitis and olfactory function (p < 0.001) and VAS (p < 0.001).
  
  
  
  MP-AzeFlu is associated with olfactory improvement in persistent allergic rhinitis patients. Further, the modified ARIA severity classification is an indicator of patients' olfactory function. Moreover, assessment of olfaction seems to be a reliable indicator of the clinical success of antiallergic/antiinflammatory therapy.
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: Ludger
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Klimek
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Centre "Smell & Taste," Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Sophia C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Poletti
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sperl
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spielhaupter
authors.affiliation: Zentrum für Rhinologie und Allergologie, Wiesbaden, Germany.
authors.forename: Cornel
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bardenhewer
authors.affiliation: Rhinology Unit and Smell Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clinic, IDIBAPS, Universitat de Barcelona, CIBERES; Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
authors.forename: Joaquim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mullol
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Mannheim University Hospital, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hörmann
authors.affiliation: Interdisciplinary Centre "Smell & Taste," Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hummel
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D000068298:Fluticasone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010793:Phthalazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012903:Smell / Q000187:drug effects*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents; D010793:Phthalazines; D000068298:Fluticasone; C020976:azelastine
keywords: allergic rhinitis; olfaction; olfactory disorders; olfactory test; steroid therapy; therapeutics