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Efficacy of Aqueous Triamcinolone Acetonide in Allergic Rhinitis Not Affected by Gender: Presented at ACAAI

By Micheal Casasnovas

MIAMI BEACH, Fla -- November 13, 2009 - Researchers said here they found no significant differences in response to intranasal corticosteroid treatment with aqueous triamcinolone acetonide between male or female patients with allergic rhinitis.

"Aqueous triamcinolone acetonide is effective in allergic rhinitis patients regardless of gender, although the results of treatment with 110 mcg in males may warrant further study," said Dana V. Wallace, MD, private practice in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at a poster presentation here on November 8 at the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) annual scientific meeting.

Researchers analysed 9 randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials which were similarly designed. These studies used aqueous triamcinolone acetonide 110 or 220 mcg daily dosage lasting 2 weeks in seasonal allergic rhinitis studies and 4 weeks in perennial allergic rhinitis studies. Researchers determined efficacy through change in nasal index score, which is the sum of rhinorrhoea, sneezing, and congestion scores against baseline and placebo.

Dr. Wallace and colleagues reviewed the data on 784 females and 980 males, a total of 1,764 patients, aged 12 years and older. Aqueous triamcinolone acetonide 110 mcg or placebo was administered to 362 patients. Aqueous triamcinolone acetonide 220 mcg or placebo was given to 1,402 patients.

At baseline, demographics were similar across treatment arms and dosing groups. The nasal index score in males and females were similar at baseline. Significant improvement in nasal index score was noted with aqueous triamcinolone acetonide 220 mcg (P < .0001) and 110 mcg (P = .0013) versus placebo.

Aqueous triamcinolone acetonide 220 mcg, in 382 males and 314 females, had significantly better improvement in nasal index score versus placebo (P < .0001 and P < .0001, respectively).

One hundred four males received aqueous triamcinolone acetonide 110 mcg with significantly better improvement in nasal index score from baseline, but without a statistical difference against the placebo. Seventy-five females received aqueous triamcinolone acetonide 110 mcg showing a significant improvement in nasal index score versus placebo (P < .0001).

"No overall significant treatment differences were noted between males and females," said Dr. Wallace. "These results should thus be considered hypothesis generating only. Further studies to examine gender effects on allergic rhinitis pathophysiology should be undertaken."

Funding for this study was provided by AstraZeneca.

[Presentation title: Exploring Gender Differences in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis: A Meta-analysis of Aqueous Triamcinolone Acetonide Studies. Abstract P337]

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