EFFICACY OF LIPID BASED OINTMENT AS ADJUVANT THERAPY FOR ALLERGIC RHINITIS

Abstract

Objective: To find out the efficacy of a commonly used lipid based ointment (petroleum jelly) as adjuvant therapy for allergic rhinitis by comparing the patients using standard treatment versus patients using additional lipid based ointment.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Bahawalpur from July 2014 to August 2015.

Material and Methods: Total 300 patients of allergic rhinitis were included in the study through non-probability convenience sampling and randomly divided in two groups of 150 each. In group A patients were treated with traditional treatment of allergic rhinitis including oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids and in group B patients were given oral antihistamine, intranasal corticosteroids and a commonly used ointment (petroleum jelly) for intransal application. Each symptom of allergic rhinitis (sneezing, itching, rhinorrhoea, nasal congestion) was rated using a 4 point scale ranging from 0 (none) to 3 (severe). All these assessments were then added to calculate the total symptom score (TSS), the maximum of which could be 12. All the patients in both groups were assessed before the start of treatment and after 2 weeks and the mean difference in each symptom and total symptom score (TSS) was compared between the two groups.

Results: Treatment including petroleum jelly plus standard treatment caused a significantly better total symptom control than the standard treatment (oral antihistamine and nasal corticosteroids), 5.38 ± 3.75 vs 6.34 ± 3.83 (p=0.029). However as far as the individual symptom scores are concerned, best effect of petroleum jelly was seen on rhinorrhoea 1.38 ± .93 vs 1.79 ± .92 (p=0.000) and nasal itching 1.27 ± .93 vs 1.80 ± .96 (p=0.000).

Conclusion: A commonly available lipid based ointment, petroleum jelly, is a safe and effective adjuvant therapy for allergic rhinitis.