Biomedical Research

This study aims to investigate the significance of Upper And Lower Airway-Combined Therapy (ULACT) by comparing the treatment protocols for pure Allergic Rhinitis (AR) and AR associated with lower airway inflammation. A total of 103 cases of AR that were diagnosed in a clinic service were divided according to their association with lower airway inflammation into three different groups: group A patients were diagnosed with pure AR, group B patients with AR associated with airway hyperreactivity, and group C patients with AR associated with asthma. Each patient group received a different treatment protocol. Group A patients received fluticasone propionate nasal spray, group B patients received fluticasone propionate nasal spray and 100 μg salmeterol fluticasone inhalant, and group C patients received fluticasone propionate nasal spray and 250 μg salmeterol fluticasone inhalant. The efficacy of each treatment protocol was then assessed. The administered treatment in these three groups achieved varying degrees of efficacy. The efficacy of the treatment in group A was significantly higher than that of the treatment provided to groups B and C (P<0.05). The combination of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol fluticasone showed significant effectiveness in controlling the short-term symptoms of group C patients. AR should, therefore, be diagnosed as early as possible or at least, its association with lower airway inflammation excluded. Correct standard treatment protocols could decrease the rate of improper medical treatment and effectively control topical steroid utilization.

Author(s): Yuping Yang, Yan Wang, Yuqin Fan, Jun Yong, Hua Zhang
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