Effect of cetirizine on symptom severity and quality of life in perennial
allergic rhinitis.
Author(s): Skoner DP(1), LaForce CF, Nathan RA, Urdaneta ER, Zielinski MA, Sacavage SD,
Franklin KB, Wu MM.
Affiliation(s): Author information:
(1)Division of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Allegheny General Hospital,
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Publication date & source: 2014, Allergy Asthma Proc. , 35(4):338-45
The effect of cetirizine on quality of life (QOL) in subjects with perennial
allergic rhinitis (PAR) has been previously evaluated using generic instruments.
While generic QOL tools are used across various conditions, disease-specific
instruments evaluate the impact of treatment on areas that are affected by that
particular condition. This study evaluated the effect of cetirizine on symptom
severity and health-related QOL, using a disease-specific instrument, in adults
with PAR. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted
at 15 U.S. centers outside the pollen allergy season. After a 1-week placebo
run-in period, qualified subjects aged 18-65 years with PAR were randomized to
once-daily cetirizine 10 mg (n = 158) or placebo (n = 163) for 4 weeks. Change
from baseline in total symptom severity complex (TSSC) and overall Rhinitis
Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) scores were primary efficacy end points.
Cetirizine produced significantly greater improvements in mean TSSC for each
treatment week (p < 0.05) and for the entire 4-week treatment period (p = 0.005)
compared with placebo. After 4 weeks, cetirizine-treated subjects reported
significantly greater overall improvement in RQLQ scores compared with
placebo-treated subjects (p = 0.004). After 1 week, cetirizine produced
significant improvements in the nasal symptoms, practical problems, and
activities RQLQ domain scores compared with placebo (p < 0.05). After 4 weeks,
cetirizine-treated subjects reported significant reductions in these RQLQ domain
scores and in emotion domain scores compared with placebo-treated subjects (p <
0.05). Cetirizine 10 mg daily produced significant improvements in symptom
severity and allergic rhinitis-related QOL compared with placebo in adults with
PAR.
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