Evaluation of a Novel Questionnaire to Assess Patient Satisfaction With and Preference of Intranasal Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis

This is an open-label, randomized, multicenter, 2-way crossover study in subjects 12 years or older with perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) to evaluate the psychometric properties of a novel-patient administered assessment of treatment satisfaction with and preference of an INCS. Subjects will be randomized to 1 of 2 treatment sequences:

Sequence 1: Treatment Period 1 = ciclesonide hydrofluoroalkane (HFA) nasal aerosol 80 μg once daily; Treatment Period 2 = mometasone nasal inhalation 200 μg once daily

Sequence 2: Treatment Period 1 = mometasone nasal inhalation 200 μg once daily; Treatment Period 2 = ciclesonide HFA nasal aerosol 80 μg once daily

Total study participation will be approximately 8 weeks including a 3-week screening/baseline phase, a 1-week treatment period, a 1- to 2- week washout phase between treatments, a second 1-week treatment period consisting of the alternate treatment, and an additional 1-week follow up period after the last dose of study drug to assess safety. Subjects are required to continue to meet eligibility criteria for the second treatment period.

Nasal symptoms will be evaluated daily from 7 days prior to the first dose of study drug in Treatment Period 1 through the last dose of study drug in Treatment Period 2. The Allergic Rhinitis Satisfaction and Preference (ARTSP) and other Modules from the Phase V® e-Health Outcomes Information System (Phase V Technologies, Wellesley MA) will be completed two times during each treatment period (before the first dose and on the day after the last dose) via the internet at the clinical site. Patient preference will be evaluated at the day after last dose only.

Inclusion criteria

• Give written informed consent and assent, including privacy authorization as well as adherence to concomitant medication withholding periods, prior to participation.
• Male or female 12 years and older at screening
• Subject must be in general good health (defined as the absence of any clinically relevant abnormalities as determined by the investigator) based on screening physical examination, clinical laboratory results, and medical history.
• A history of PAR to a relevant perennial allergen (house dust mites, cockroach, molds, animal dander) for a minimum of two years immediately preceding screening. The PAR must have been of sufficient severity to have required treatment (either continuous or intermittent) in the past, and require treatment with an INCS throughout the entire study period.
• At least one treatment for PAR during the 6 months prior to expected randomization was a nasal spray.
• A demonstrated sensitivity to at least one allergen known to induce PAR (house dust mites, animal dander, cockroach, and molds) based on a documented result with a standard skin-prick test either within 90 days prior to or at screening. A positive test is defined as a wheal diameter at least 3 mm larger than the negative control wheal for the skin-prick test. The subject's positive test for the allergen must be consistent with the medical history of PAR and the allergen must be present in the subject's environment throughout the study.
• Based upon subject's medical history, in the investigator's judgment, the subject is unlikely to have a seasonal allergy exacerbation during the study.
• Subject, if female ≤ 65 years of age, must have a negative serum pregnancy test at screening. Females of childbearing potential must be instructed to and agree to avoid pregnancy during the study and must use an acceptable method of birth control: a. An oral contraceptive, an intrauterine device (IUD), implantable contraceptive, transdermal or injectable contraceptive for at least 1 month prior to entering the study with continued use throughout the study and for 30 days following completion of study participation. b.Barrier method of contraception, e.g., condom and/or diaphragm with spermicide while participating in the study. c.Abstinence.
• The subject must possess a degree of understanding of written English, in the opinion of the investigator that enables them to complete the Phase V® Technologies Inc. (PVT) Modules.

Exclusion criteria

• Female subject who is pregnant or lactating.
• History of physical findings of nasal pathology, including nasal polyps or other clinically significant respiratory tract malformations; recent nasal biopsy; nasal trauma; or nasal ulcers or perforations. Surgery and atrophic rhinitis or rhinitis medicamentosa are not permitted within the last 60 days prior to screening.
• Presently has nasal jewelry, has had a nasal piercing, or a history of nasal surgery (e.g., rhinoplasty, septoplasty) or trauma to the nasal cavity.
• Subject is, in the investigator's judgment, having a seasonal exacerbation at screening.
• Participation in any investigational drug trial within the 30 days preceding screening or planned participation in another investigational drug trial at any time during this study.
• A known hypersensitivity to any corticosteroid or any of the components in the formulations of ciclesonide or Nasonex.
• History of a respiratory infection or disorder (including, but not limited to, bronchitis, pneumonia, influenza, severe acute respiratory syndrome [SARS]) within the 14 days preceding screening.
• History of alcohol or drug abuse within 2 years preceding screening.
• History of a positive test for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), hepatitis B, or hepatitis C.
• Active asthma requiring treatment with inhaled or systemic corticosteroids and/or routine use of beta agonists and any controller drugs (e.g., theophylline, leukotriene antagonists, etc.); intermittent use (less than or equal to three uses per week) of inhaled short-acting beta-agonists is acceptable. Use of short-acting beta-agonists for exercise-induced bronchospasm is allowed.
• Expected use of any disallowed medications during the study period.
• Expected initiation of immunotherapy during the study period or planned dose escalation during the study period. However, initiation of immunotherapy 90 days or more prior to screening and use of a stable (maintenance) dose (30 days or more) may be considered for inclusion.
• Non-vaccinated exposure to or active infection with chickenpox or measles within the 21 days preceding screening.
• Expected initiation of pimecrolimus cream 1% or greater or tacrolimus ointment 0.03% or greater during the study period or planned dose escalation during the study period. However, initiation of these creams/ointments 30 days or more prior to screening and use of a stable (maintenance) dose during the study period may be considered for inclusion.
• Study participation by clinical site employees and/or their immediate relatives who reside in the same household.
• Study participation by more than one subject from the same household.
• Have any of the following conditions that are judged by the investigator to be clinically significant and/or affect the subject's ability to participate in the clinical trial: impaired hepatic function including alcohol related liver disease or cirrhosis; history of ocular disturbances, e.g., glaucoma or posterior subcapsular cataracts; any systemic infection; hematological, hepatic, renal, endocrine (except for controlled diabetes mellitus or postmenopausal symptoms or hypothyroidism) disease; gastrointestinal disease; malignancy (excluding basal cell carcinoma); current neuropsychological condition with or without drug therapy
• Any condition that, in the judgment of the investigator, would preclude the subject from completing the protocol with completion of the assessments as written.