Effects of mometasone furoate on the quality of life: a randomized placebo-controlled trial in persistent allergic rhinitis and intermittent asthma using the Rhinasthma questionnaire.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis, especially when persistent (PER) and associated with asthma heavily impairs patients' quality of life (QoL).


OBJECTIVE
This study assessed the effect of mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) on the QoL of patients with PER and asthma, using the Rhinasthma questionnaire (EUDRACT n. 2007-004683-45).


METHODS
Patients with moderate/severe PER and intermittent asthma were randomized to MFNS (alcohol-free) 200 μg/day or placebo for 28 days. Rhinasthma was completed at baseline and at weeks 2 and 4. The total five symptom score (T5SS) for rhinitis, the asthma symptom score and the sum of the two [global symptoms score (GSS)] were recorded daily. The primary outcome was the change in the Rhinasthma global summary (GS) at the end of treatment. Secondary end-points were (a) the change from baseline to end of treatment of each Rhinasthma factor: upper airways (UAs), lower airways (LAs) and respiratory allergy impact; (b) the change from baseline to end of treatment of the T5SS and of the GSS and (c) the use of rescue medication.


RESULTS
Fifty-two adults were randomized. Compared with placebo, MFNS produced a significant change in the Rhinasthma GS (-10.4 vs. 0.4; P<0.01). MFNS also achieved a significant improvement of the UA (-16.6 vs. 0.1; P<0.001), LA (-10.8 vs. 1.1; P<0.001) and GSS (-6.7 vs. -3.1; P=0.019). The change of the T5SS was greater in the MFNS group but did not reach statistical significance.


CONCLUSION
In patients with PER rhinitis and intermittent asthma, MFNS improves the QoL and the burden of respiratory symptoms. Treating rhinitis may affect the asthma-related QoL.