Seasonal allergic rhinitis and depot injection of a corticosteroid

Abstract

It was the aim of this investigation to study the efficacy of a corticosteroid given as a depot injection in seasonal allergic rhinitis, the efficacy profile with regard to specific symptoms, and whether the injection is best given early in the season or later at the peak of the pollen count. An injection of 80 mg methylprednisolone showed a marked effect on nasal blockage lasting more than 4 weeks, and a moderate effect on eye symptoms, while the effect on nasal hypersecretion and sneezing could not be demonstrated. It is concluded that systemic corticosteroids may be indicated in severe hay fever, when symptoms, especially blockage, occur in spite of other types of therapy. If the physician prefers to give the corticosteroid as a depot injection, it is preferably given in the first half of the season when the pollen count is increasing.

Systemic corticosteroid treatment for seasonal allergic rhinitis:a common but poorly documented therapy

“…Borum et al ( 4) performed two separate trials in 24 patients with SAR. The patients received one injection of methylprednisolone acetate 80 mg in the first study at the beginning of the pollen season (early treatment), and in the second study at the peak of the season (late treatment).…”

“…However, no study has addressed the important question of whether SCS treatment adds to the efficacy of the first‐line therapy. Generally, the effect of SCS for SAR has been poorly studied, and we have been able to find only five placebo‐controlled trials ( 2–6).…”

Glucocorticosteroids and rhinitis

“…The effect on nasal blockage is marked and long-lasting (21), suggesting that some vicious circles have been broken. Systemic, in contrast to topical, administration has a direct effect on the paranasal sinuses.…”

“…General practitioners often use a single depot injection, which is of proven efficacy (21,87). Most speciaHsts, on the other hand, prefer oral GCS therapy for theoretic reasons.…”

Allergic Rhinitis

“…Otherwise opinions vary considerably. In contrast to antihistamines, systemic steroids have a pronounced effect on nasal blockage but a poor effect on sneezing and rhinorrhea [23] .…”