Topical Nasal Fluticasone Propionate in the Control of Allergic Rhinitis SymptomsPerene

This study was conducted to demonstrate the non inferiority of the topical nasal fluticasone propionate of the brand Plurair® in relation to the reference drug Flixonase® in the control of symptoms related to perennial allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis is one of the most common forms of non-infectious rhinitis, characterized mainly by symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose and nasal congestion. Depending on the time of exposure to allergens and the duration of symptoms, allergic rhinitis is classified as perennial (OKUBO, 2009).

Studies for the assessment of perennial allergic rhinitis through symptom analysis used diaries provided to the participants, so that they could describe their symptoms, starting in the screening phase and ending at the end of treatment. In the present study, participants recorded, in the diary, the severity of their rhinitis symptoms (obstruction, runny nose, nasal itching and sneezing) and also associated eye symptoms (watery eyes, itchy eyes and redness) using a four-point scale (0-absent, 1-mild, 2-moderate and 3-severe). For the purpose of analyzing the primary parameter, the total daily reflective nasal symptoms (NRT) was obtained by averaging the total morning and evening scores for each day ([morning NRT + night NRT] / 2) of the individual nasal symptoms - obstruction, itching, runny nose and sneezing - assessed reflexively in the last 12 hours.

This study in its design and analysis of efficacy and safety followed the guidelines of regulatory agencies in the United States of America (FDA, 2000) and Canada (CANADA HEALTH, 2011).

Fluticasone propionate is a potent intranasal corticosteroid with negligible bioavailability, effective in the treatment of nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis. The onset of the therapeutic effect of fluticasone propionate occurs within 12 hours when 200 μg of the medication is administered once a day (RATNER, 2008).

Following guidelines for the use of fluticasone propionate and guidelines for the assessment of symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis, the objective of the present clinical study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of two formulations of fluticasone propionate as a single agent in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis through relief of nasal symptoms assessed by recording in the participants' symptom diary.

This study was conducted in accordance with the proposal for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis, with local clinical research regulations, with the International Harmonization Conference (ICH) Good Clinical Practices and with the principles of the Declaration Helsinki and their respective revisions.

Inclusion criteria

• Men and women aged ≥ 12 years and <60 years old on the date of the selection visit;
• Clinical history suggestive of perennial allergic rhinitis for at least 02 years;
• Atopy proved through positive evaluation for at least one inhaled allergen (valid positive RAST test performed up to 12 months before the date of the selection visit - or positive Phadiatop® ** performed during the selection period);
• Present the score for reflective nasal symptoms (runny nose, nasal itching, nasal obstruction and sneezing) equal to or greater than the average of 12 points out of a total of 24, during the 4 days preceding the randomization visit OR Present a score of reflective nasal symptoms (runny nose, itchy nose, nasal obstruction and sneezing) at least 12, for at least 4 days, not necessarily consecutive, within a seven-day selection period;
• "Research participant's diary - selection" correctly filled out, considering at least 80% of the completed information regarding nasal and ocular symptoms in the two periods (morning and night);
• Availability of telephone contact for follow-up;
• Signature of the Free and Informed Consent Term and Free and Informed Consent Term, when applicable.

Exclusion criteria

• Pregnancy or lactation;
• Women who declare that they have the potential to become pregnant and do not want to adopt any contraceptive method, including: sexual abstinence, mechanical barrier, IUD, oral contraceptive, injectable contraceptive, hormonal implant, hormonal transdermal patch, prior sterilization, etc;
• Other clinical forms of rhinitis: seasonal allergic, medication, vasomotor, atrophic, etc;
• History compatible with IVAS or acute sinusitis in the 15 days prior to the selection visit, symptomatic chronic sinusitis, nasal polyposis;
• Concomitant cardiovascular / hepatic / pulmonary / renal / neurological / neoplastic disease and others, which medical criteria may compromise the patient's participation in the study;
• Current smoking or previous smoking for less than 3 months;
• Cataract, glaucoma, herpes simplex ocular;
• Asthma, with the exception of controlled conditions (GINA Criteria - Global Initiative for Asthma - modified: absence of daytime symptoms, nighttime despair and experiences in experimental activities) without the need for specific medication;
• Previous use of:
• Antihistamine for less than 10 days with the exception of azelastine / astemizole for less than 12 weeks.
• Topical, intranasal and systemic corticosteroids for less than 4 weeks;
• Antileukotriene / anticholinergic / antifungal / antibiotics less than 7 days ago
• Intranasal or systemic decongestant for less than 03 days;
• Non-hormonal anti-inflammatory, including acetylsalicylic acid with use in less than 10 days;
• Use of drugs with the potential to alter cytochrome P450 (eg, ritonavir and ketoconazole, but not exclusively) or with possible clinical influence (eg, tricyclic antidepressants, but not exclusively) or with nasal administration (eg, insulin, but not exclusively);
• History of nasosinusal surgery;
• Results of laboratory selection tests with significant clinical changes (complete blood count, TGO / AST, TGP / ALT, salt, potassium, urea, creatinine, fasting glucose and serum cortisol), which a doctor may compromise the patient's participation in. study;
• Serious illness or condition that the doctor may compromise the patient's participation in the study.