[The effect of desloratadine on quality of life of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of desloratadine on quality of life (QOL) in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis.

METHOD: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was designed on fifty patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: A group: taking desloratadine by mouth and taking spraying of normal sodium; B group: placebo group, taking placebo by mouth and taking spraying of normal sodium; C group: taking desloratadine by mouth and taking spraying of Nasonex. Rhinitis quality of life (RQOL) questionnaire was used to evaluate QOL of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The method of taking tabella was one tablet, one time a day; the method of taking spraying was one spray each nostril, once a day. The investigation lasted for two weeks. The RQOL questionnaire was administered at the start of the treatment and after one and two weeks of treatment by the telephone follow-up investigation.

RESULT: After 1 and 2 weeks of treatment, symptoms scores were significantly decreased in the A group and C group compared with the placebo group (P < 0.05). After 1 and 2 weeks of treatment by the methods of A and C, the QOL of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis was significantly improved compared with placebo group (P < 0.05). There was no QOL improvement in the placebo group.

CONCLUSION: Desloratadine could decrease symptom scores and improve QOL in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. The RQOL questionnaire could help doctor to effectively evaluate QOL in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, because of its integrity and convenience.