Patient education on nasal spray technique for allergic rhinitis

<p><strong>Background:</strong> Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common condition worldwide. Intranasal corticosteroid spray (INCS) is the mainstream and effective first line monotherapy treatment of AR. However, the efficacy of INCS may be dependent on factors such as the patient’s compliance and delivery technique of the nasal spray. The correct delivery technique of INCS depends on the adequacy of patient education. Hence, our study was conducted to assess the benefit of the different methods of patient education and the best method of patient education on INCS usage technique. Objectives of the study were to determine if proper education in the usage of ICNS affected the treatment of AR and to determine the best teaching method of nasal spray technique using both subjective and objective methods of assessment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is a prospective study that was performed over 2 years duration from the year 2017 until 2019. A total of 96 patients were recruited based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria. The effectiveness of the different methods of teaching were determined both subjectively by total nasal symptom score (TNSS) and objectively using Rhinomanometry test. The teachings method became increasingly more comprehensive as compared to the previous visit. Assessment was done every six weeklies for 4 times after each teaching methods of nasal spray usage on each visit. All Rhinometry test and patients follow up of was done by the same surgeon.</p><p><strong>Results</strong>: There was statistically significant improvement (p&lt;0.05) in patients symptoms based on the nasal resistance and TNSS with more comprehensive method of teaching nasal spray.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study showed the importance of educating patient regarding the use of INCS. Both objective and subjective assessment of improvement after each method of patient education showed statistically significant outcome.</p>

Effectiveness of Oral Antihistamines and Intranasal Steroid Spray in relieving Ocular Symptoms in Allergic Rhinitis using Total Ocular Symptom Score

ABSTRACT Ocular symptoms in allergic rhinitis are often overlooked, but they have a significant impact on the quality of life of an individual. Materials and methods A randomized controlled trial was conducted from August 2012 to July 2013; a total of 153 cases were considered and divided into two groups. Group A received levocetirizine, and group B received mometasone furoate nasal spray. Aims and objectives The aims and objectives of this study were to determine the total ocular symptom score (TOSS) according to the severity of allergic rhinitis, determine the TOSS before medication, and determine the effectiveness of antihistamines (levocetirizine) and intranasal corticosteroid spray (mometasone furoate). Results The results indicate average TOSS to be in intermittent mild (51.32), intermittent moderate to severe (55.86), persistent mild (44.50), and persistent moderate to severe (52.02). Chi-square test to compare the relief between groups A and B did not show any statistical significance after 1st (p = 0.8951) and 4th weeks (p = 0.9758) of follow-up. How to cite this article Singh NK, Nagpure PS, Yadav MK, Chavan S, Manpe S, Ganeshkar R. Effectiveness of Oral Antihistamines and Intranasal Steroid Spray in relieving Ocular Symptoms in Allergic Rhinitis using Total Ocular Symptom Score. Int J Otorhinolaryngol Clin 2016;8(2):45-50.