A retrospective study on the effectiveness and safety of the combination of intranasal corticosteroid and intranasal antihistamine in the management of patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: The Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma 2025 guideline recommends the combination of intranasal corticosteroid and intranasal antihistamine to be used as first-line treatment for moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis because of its superior symptom control. This study was conducted to examine real-world evidence regarding the effectiveness and safety of the combination of Mometasone furoate and Azelastine (MF-Az) nasal sprays in Indian patients with allergic rhinitis. METHODS: This multicentric, retrospective study was carried out across 424 ENT clinics in India. Medical records were scrutinized for information such as medical history, symptoms, clinical results, and adverse events (AEs). The mean change in total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) and total non-nasal symptom scores (TNNSS) from baseline to end of treatment was used to assess effectiveness. Independent EC approval was obtained before initiating the study. RESULTS: The medical records of 4,500 patients with allergic rhinitis from 424 ENT clinics across India were screened. The mean change from baseline TNSS and TNNSS at Day 7 were -1.97 (±2.58) and -1.55 (±2.63), respectively, while those at Day 14 were -3.62 (±3.99) and -2.70 (±3.84), respectively. These changes were statistically significant (p < 0.0001). There was no hospitalization, serious AEs, or treatment discontinuation due to AEs among patients. CONCLUSION: The study concluded that intranasal MF-Az spray significantly alleviated nasal and non-nasal symptoms and was well tolerated.