Role of Montelukast on Vitamin D Levels in Asthma and Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis in Eastern India

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis and asthma are both chronic heterogeneous disorders, with an overlappingepidemiology of prevalence, health care and social costs in quality of life. Both are inflammatory disorders with asimilar pathophysiology and vitamin D has a significant role in the pathogenesis of the disease.Aims and Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the role of serum vitamin D in patients withsymptomatic allergic rhinitis and active asthma during the allergy season and observe the effect of montelukast10 mg daily as treatment.Materials and methods: This study included 130 asthmatic and seasonal allergic rhinitis patients following asingle-blind, placebo run-in period of 3 days–5 days, patients were randomized to oral montelukast 10 mg (n = 68)or placebo (n = 62) daily during the 2-week, double-blind, active-treatment period. The serum vitamin D was alsoevaluated in both the groups.Results: The serum vitamin D levels were found to be higher in patients taking monteleukast compared to placeboafter 2 weeks (p< 0.001). Montelukast reduced the Total Nasal symptoms score which includes Daytime nasalsymptoms and Nighttime symptoms compared to placebo after 2 weeks (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Montelukastprovides significant relief from symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis, while also conferring a benefit for asthma,in patients with both allergic rhinitis and asthma. Further, it has a beneficial role in improving vitamin D levels.