Herbal Treatment for Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Chinese University of Hong Kong126 enrolled

Overview

Allergic rhinitis(AR) is one of the most common allergic disorders throughout the world.The conventional therapies are effective in alleviating symptoms but the efficacy are limited and not persistent. Furthermonre, the cost and side-effect are known defects. A classical Chinese herbal formula, has been used for AR for centries. Our study purpose is to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of this formula verus placebo in perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR). Hypothesis: the classical herbal formula would improve the symptoms of PAR patients and change some immunological parameters in the peripheral blood when comparing with the placebo.

It is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

QUADRUPLE

Enrollment

126

Conditions

Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

Interventions

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Aged from 18 to 65 years old * Have typical symotoms of PAR including rhinirrhea, sneezing, nasal obstruction and itching in nose and eyes for at least 2 previous consecutive years. * Postive skin prick test(SPT) to hose dust mite, mold, animal dander and cockcroach with regular AR medications withould for 3 days prior to the test Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnant women and women at risk of conception * Received allergen injections in previous 2 years * Regular medications for AR or cold and other allergic disorder * Seasonal allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis and rhinitis medicamentosa * Nasal structure deformities, nasal polyps and hypertrophic rhinitis * Systematic cortisosteroid used within recent 3 months or nasal cortisosteroid with 15 days * Other active respiratory disorders * Active medical disorders: cancer, infection, hematology, renal, hepatic, cardiovascular, metabolic and gastrointestinal diseases

Locations (2)

Department of ENT, Prince of Wales Hospital

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Department of ENT, Yan Chai Hospital

Hong Kong, Hong Kong

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Allergic Rhinitis Symptom Score Including Rhinorrhea, Nasal Obstruction, Sneezing, Itchy Nose and Itchy Eyes at Week 4

The severity of PAR was evaluated by means of a daily symptom diary chart. Patients were instructed to grade retrospectively everyday before bedtime, their generalwell-being, nasalsymptoms (nasal blockage, rhinorrhea, nose itching, sneezing) and non-nasal symptoms(itching eyes, tearing eyes, redness of eyes, itching of ears or palate) on the diary chart. A 4-point severity scale from no symptoms (0), mild (1), moderated (2) to severe (3) was used.

Time frame: 4 week

Secondary Outcomes

Quality of Life (Difference Between Baseline and Week 4)

SF-36 QOL questionnaire administrated before and after treatment. It has eight domains: general health (GH), physical functioning (PF), social functioning (SF), role limitation caused by physical problems (RP), bodily pain (BP), role limitations caused by emotional problem (RE), mental health (MH), and vitality (VT). Each domain was started from 0 (worst health) to 100 (best health).

Time frame: 4 week