A randomized controlled trial evaluating prophylactic treatment of Artemisia pollinosis using azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate nasal spray.

Background: Prophylactic treatment for pollinosis is advantageous for managing nasal symptoms in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Inadequate control of rhinitis symptoms increases the risk of acute asthma attacks. Nevertheless, there is limited research on the use of nasal glucocorticoids and antihistamines for the preventive treatment of pollinosis.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of prophylactic treatment for nasal symptoms and acute asthma attacks by enrolling patients with Artemisia pollinosis to use a combined device of azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone nasal spray prior to the pollen season.

Methods: The study was registered at Chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR2300073758). A total of 120 patients with Artemisia pollinosis were randomly assigned to either a prophylactic treatment group or a control group at a 1:1 ratio. In the prophylactic treatment group, the nasal spray was initiated approximately two weeks before the onset of the pollen season.

Results: During both the pollen season and the concurrent medication period, the prophylactic treatment group presented significantly lower total nasal symptom scores (TNSS) (means of 5.97 and 5.94) than the control group (means of 7.86 and 7.80) (P = 0.015 and 0.016). Although the prophylactic treatment group had a lower asthma attack rate than the control group, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.284).

Conclusions: Prophylactic treatment with azelastine hydrochloride and fluticasone propionate nasal sprays can alleviate nasal symptoms and may reduce acute asthma attacks during the pollen season.

Clinical trial registration: [Chictr.org.cn], identifier (ChiCTR2300073758).