Healthy Skepticism Library item: 10629

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Publication type: Journal Article

Bachert C, El-Akkad T.
Patient preferences and sensory comparisons of three intranasal corticosteroids for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2002 Sep; 89:(3):292-7

Abstract:

Background: Although they have comparable safety and efficacy profiles, different intranasal corticosteroids possess different sensory/chemical properties that can be easily differentiated by patients, and which may influence their preference and compliance. Objective: We sought to compare patient assessments of sensory attributes of three intranasal corticosteroid sprays: triamcinolone acetonide aqueous (TAA), fluticasone propionate (FP), and mometasone furoate (MF). Methods: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, crossover study, 95 patients with allergic rhinitis rated 14 sensory items (100-point scales), product preference, and likelihood of compliance with treatment. Results: Immediately after administration, compared with MF, TAA was rated as having significantly better comfort during administration, less irritation, less odor strength, preferred odor, more moistness of nose/throat, milder taste (all P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.001), and preferred taste (P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.01). Compared with FP, TAA was rated as having significantly less odor strength, preferred odor (both P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.001), more moistness of nose/throat (P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.01), and milder taste (P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.05). Two minutes after application, TAA was rated as having less aftertaste than FP (P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.01) or MF (P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.001), and produced significantly less irritation (FP P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.05; MF P < less-than-or-equal-to > 0.01). Of patients, 54.7% said they would prefer a prescription of TAA over one for MF (24.2%; P = 0.001) or FP (21.1%; P = 0.001). More patients indicated that they would be more compliant with treatment if given the TAA prescription (67.4%) than if given a prescription with FP (54.7%) or MF (49.5%). Conclusion: Several of the TAA sensory attributes were preferred over those of MF and FP. Patient preference may play a role in enhancing treatment compliance. Such findings indicate that TAA nasal spray may be a better choice than MF or FP in the treatment of seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

Keywords:
Administration, Intranasal Adolescent Adult Aerosols Aged Androstadienes/administration & dosage Androstadienes/therapeutic use Anti-Allergic Agents/administration & dosage* Anti-Allergic Agents/therapeutic use Cross-Over Studies Double-Blind Method Female Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage* Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use Humans Male Middle Aged Patient Satisfaction Perception Pregnadienediols/administration & dosage Pregnadienediols/therapeutic use Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/diagnosis Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial/drug therapy* Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/diagnosis Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal/drug therapy* Triamcinolone Acetonide/administration & dosage Triamcinolone Acetonide/therapeutic use