Skip to main content
  • Original research
  • Open access
  • Published:

Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis With Desloratadine: Results of a Multinational Observational Study in the Middle East Gulf Region

Abstract

Background

Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects up to 36% of the population in the Middle East Gulf States. The second-generation nonsedating antihistamine desloratadine has demonstrated safety and efficacy in the treatment of AR; however, few studies have evaluated this agent in Arab and Asian populations in the Middle East.

Methods

This open-label study enrolled subjects ≥ 12 years with moderate-to-severe AR; they received desloratadine 5 mg QD for 2 weeks. Endpoints included change in mean individual nasal and ocular symptom scores, total symptom score (TSS), and peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) and percentage improvement in global response to therapy.

Results

There were 602 subjects from 5 Middle East countries enrolled. After 2 weeks, desloratadine significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced mean scores for individual nasal and total ocular symptom scores and TSS. PNIF measures of nasal congestion were significantly (P < 0.0001) improved after treatment. Most subjects obtained complete (38.1%) or marked (47.2%) relief of AR symptoms. Treatment failure was reported in 2.2% of subjects. No adverse events were reported, and no subjects discontinued treatment.

Conclusion

Most subjects reported significant symptom relief with desloratadine 5 mg/d for 2 weeks. Desloratadine is effective in the treatment of AR in Arab and Asian subjects in the Middle East Gulf region.

Allergic rhinitis (AR), characterized by rhinorrhea; nasal itching; nasal congestion; sneezing; red, itching, watery eyes; and/or itching ears or palate, has become increasingly prevalent in the Middle East Gulf region; estimates indicate that up to 36% of the region's population may be affected [1–3]. Rapid development, the oil industry, and modernization have led to pollution and the introduction of non-native species of plants and grass [1, 3–5] and amenities such as carpeting and air conditioning, contributing to an overall increased sensitivity to allergens [6, 7].

Patient surveys reveal that the symptoms of AR, particularly nasal congestion, have a marked impact on quality of life,[8, 9] emotional well-being,[9, 10] work or school productivity,[11–13] and sleep [9, 14]. In 2 large surveys of patients with AR, nasal congestion was the most bothersome symptom and was reported to affect sleep,[9] to impair work productivity, and to increase absenteeism [8, 9]. In a third survey, adult participants who reported nasal congestion resulting from allergy were 1.8 times more likely to have moderate to severe sleep-disordered breathing than those without nasal congestion because of allergy [14]. Further, students in the United Kingdom, 15 to 17 years of age, with symptoms of AR were 40% more likely to drop a grade between their practice and final examinations than were students who were symptom-free [15].

The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) working group recommends second-generation nonsedating antihistamines as a first-line therapy for AR [16]. Desloratadine, a potent nonsedating second-generation antihistamine, is indicated for the treatment of AR in adults and adolescents ≥ 12 years irrespective of duration (intermittent/persistent) or seasonality (seasonal/perennial) [17]. Numerous clinical [18–25] and observational studies [26–37] have found that desloratadine treatment improves the classic symptoms of seasonal (SAR), perennial (PAR), intermittent (IAR), and persistent AR (PER), including nasal congestion. Desloratadine is well tolerated with a safety profile similar to placebo [18–20].

This observational study evaluated the efficacy of desloratadine 5 mg once daily in improving nasal and ocular symptom scores and nasal airflow as measured by peak nasal inspiratory flow (PNIF) in Arab and Asian subjects ≥ 12 years with SAR or PAR in a "real-world" clinical setting in 5 Middle East countries.

Methods

This open-label, noninterventional, practice-based study was conducted at 47 centers in the Middle East countries of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study was performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki and the guidelines of Good Clinical Practice. Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.

Eligible subjects were 12 years or older and had a ≥ 2-year history of SAR or PAR, confirmed by standard skin prick test with the following allergens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cockroach, Asperigillus, yeast, weed mix, and cat and dog fur.

A baseline total symptom score (TSS, sum of nasal discharge/rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing, nasal itching, and ocular symptoms) of ≥ 8, a nasal congestion score of ≥ 2, an ocular symptom score of ≥ 2 on a 4-point scale (0 = none, 3 = severe), indicative of moderate-to-severe disease, were also required. TSS is widely used in clinical studies of allergic rhinitis.

Subjects were excluded from the study if they were pregnant or nursing; had another clinically significant disease, particularly nasal disorders or structural abnormalities that might interfere with nasal airflow; had current or a history of chronic sinusitis or purulent postnasal drip; or had sensitivity to the study drug or its excipients. Subjects with asthma requiring chronic use of inhaled or systemic steroids were also excluded.

Subjects received oral desloratadine 5 mg once daily for 14 days, in accordance with the approved product labeling and current medical practice. No concomitant medications for the treatment of AR were permitted. Investigators evaluated symptom severity at baseline (day 0 to the first day of dosing) and at the end of treatment. PNIF was measured 3 times before and after treatment with the best reading at each visit recorded using a portable, hand-held inspiratory flow meter (30-370 L/min; In-Check Nasal; Clement Clarke International, Essex, United Kingdom). At the end of treatment, physicians and subjects jointly rated the global response to therapy using a 5-point scale (0 = no relief, treatment failure; 1 = slight relief; 2 = moderate relief; 3 = marked relief; 4 = complete relief).

Study end points included subjective change from baseline in mean individual nasal symptom scores and mean ocular symptom score, objective change from baseline in the mean PNIF, and the physician/subject assessment of global response to therapy.

Data were analyzed on an intent-to-treat basis using the Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test. Student t test and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for continuous variables; χ2 tests were used for categorical variables. The significance level was set at ≥ 0.05.

Results

A total of 602 subjects were enrolled. Demographics and baseline clinical characteristics are shown in Table 1. Treatment with desloratadine significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced mean scores from baseline for individual nasal and ocular symptoms (Table 2). The mean TSS was significantly (P < 0.0001) reduced from baseline after 2 weeks of treatment (Figure 1). Nasal airflow measured by PNIF increased significantly (P < 0.0001) after desloratadine therapy, with a 72% mean improvement from baseline (Figure 2).

Table 1 Baseline Demographics and Clinical Characteristics
Table 2 Mean Percentage Change Between Baseline and Posttreatment Individual Symptom Scores
Figure 1
figure 1

Mean change from baseline to end of desloratadine treatment in TSS. P < 0.0001 (ANOVA). TSS, total symptom score.

Figure 2
figure 2

Mean change from baseline to end of desloratadine treatment in PNIF (L/min). P < 0.0001 (ANOVA). PNIF, peak nasal inspiratory flow.

For 564 subjects for whom treatment response was recorded, symptom relief at the end of treatment was complete (38.1%), marked (47.2%), or moderate (12.6%) after joint assessment by physicians and subjects. Treatment failure occurred in 2.2% of subjects who reported slight (1.8%) or no (0.4%) relief. Global therapeutic response for 38 subjects (6.3%) was not recorded, and these subjects were considered treatment failures for the intent-to-treat analysis. Desloratadine treatment was well tolerated. No adverse events were reported during the study, and no subjects discontinued treatment.

Discussion

After 14 days of treatment, desloratadine therapy provided significant improvement from baseline in total and individual symptom scores and in nasal airflow measured by PNIF for Arab and Asian subjects residing in 5 Middle East Gulf countries. Furthermore, global therapeutic response was reported as complete, marked, or moderate in 97.9% of subjects.

The improvement in subjective symptom scores and therapeutic response found in this open-label study supports results from earlier observational safety studies,[26–37] placebo-controlled trials,[18–25] and a meta-analysis [38] that have demonstrated the efficacy of oral desloratadine 5 mg daily in SAR, PAR, IAR, and PER. For example, the percentage of subjects with SAR reporting no or only mild nasal symptoms at the end of a 3-week, open-label study of desloratadine 5 mg/d increased from 42.9% at baseline to 95.2% for sneezing/nasal itching, 40.5 to 94.4% for rhinorrhea, 33.7 to 90.7% for nasal congestion, 70.4 to 97.7% for ocular redness, and 59.0 to 95.9% for burning/itching eyes [26]. In a 4-week randomized clinical trial in patients with PAR, mean changes in total, nasal, and non-nasal symptom scores were significantly (P ≤ 0.04) greater with desloratadine versus placebo (3.9 vs 3.2, respectively) [22].

A large, multinational program of studies of desloratadine 5 mg/d in IAR and PER found significantly (P < 0.05) greater reductions in reflective and instantaneous total and individual symptom scores, including rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, sneezing, and nasal and ocular pruritus [18, 19]. Therapeutic response was also significantly (P < 0.001) greater with desloratadine than with placebo.

In the current study, nasal airflow significantly increased as measured objectively by PNIF. PNIF provides an inexpensive, uncomplicated, and safe way to assess nasal airflow in patients who have nasal congestion as a result of AR. The improvements observed in this study are consistent with objective measures of nasal airflow recorded in other studies [22, 23, 39–41]. One multicenter, randomized trial found a statistically significant (P = 0.03) increase in morning PNIF with desloratadine 5 mg daily compared with placebo [22]. A second multicenter, randomized trial observed notable, but not statistically significant, improvement in PNIF scores from baseline through day 14 with desloratadine versus placebo [39].

Nasal congestion has been associated with sleep disruption, daytime fatigue, shortness of breath, and headache [13]. Indeed, patients often report that congestion is their most bothersome AR symptom,[9] especially those with persistent or perennial disease,[13] making diagnosis and treatment of paramount importance in improving quality of life. The ARIA guidelines recommend intranasal corticosteroids as first-line treatment for patients with AR when nasal congestion is the predominant symptom [16]. However, a growing and consistent body of evidence from nasal challenge and clinical studies has found that second-generation antihistamines such as desloratadine are also effective in relieving nasal congestion [22, 23, 25, 41–47]. Furthermore, a 2007 meta-analysis that evaluated the efficacy of desloratadine for AR symptoms in 5 allergen-challenge and clinical-setting studies (N = 438) that included nasal congestion measured objectively found significant (P = 0.005) improvement in nasal airflow with desloratadine compared with placebo [38].

AR is a worldwide problem with allergenic triggers that differ from region to region. Earlier open-label, practice based clinical trials extended real-world clinical experience with desloratadine for the treatment of AR to such diverse populations as those in Hungary, Israel, Malaysia, the Philippines, Portugal, and Saudi Arabia [29, 32, 33, 35–37]. Subjects with AR treated with desloratadine 5 mg once daily in these trials showed significant improvement in ocular and nasal symptoms, especially congestion, after 2 to 4 weeks of treatment. The present investigation expands that clinical experience to Arab and Asian subjects with SAR or PAR who reside in the Middle East Gulf region.

Desloratadine was safe and well tolerated during the 14-day observation period. No adverse events were reported, and no subjects discontinued treatment because of adverse events.

The observational design of the present study may be considered a limitation. However, this type of study closely approximates the everyday clinical experience of physicians. It is also possible that the improvement in AR symptoms observed over the course of the 14-day study may have abated independent of treatment.

In conclusion, oral desloratadine 5 mg once daily for 14 days relieved nasal and ocular symptoms and improved nasal airflow in a large Arab and Asian population from the Middle East Gulf states of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and UAE. These results add to the expanding body of evidence demonstrating that desloratadine is safe and efficacious in diverse populations.

End Note

Supported by Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Gulf, formerly Schering-Plough A.G., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., provided financial support to the conduct of the study. Dr Adham is responsible for the work described in this paper. He was involved in the conception and design of the study, the interpretation of data, and revising the manuscript for important intellectual content. He provided final approval of the version to be published.

Merck, Sharp & Dohme, Gulf, formerly Schering-Plough A.G., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc., provided financial support to the conduct of the study. Dr Adham reports no additional conflicts of interest.

The study results included in this article were presented at the XXVII European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Annual Meeting in Barcelona, Spain, 7-11 June 2008.

References

  1. Alsowaidi S, Abdulle A, Shehab A, Zuberbier T, Bernsen R: Allergic rhinitis: prevalence and possible risk factors in a Gulf Arab population. Allergy. 2010, 65: 208-212. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02123.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Owayed A, Behbehani N, Al-Momen J: Changing prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases among Kuwaiti children. An ISAAC Study (Phase III). Med Princ Pract. 2008, 17: 284-289. 10.1159/000129607.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Janahi IA, Bener A, Bush A: Prevalence of asthma among Qatari schoolchildren: International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood, Qatar. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2006, 41: 80-86. 10.1002/ppul.20331.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Behbehani N, Arifhodzic N, Al-Mousawi M, Marafie S, Ashkanani L, Moussa M, Al-Duwaisan A: The seasonal variation in allergic rhinitis and its correlation with outdoor allergens in Kuwait. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2004, 133: 164-167. 10.1159/000076622.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Lestringant G-G, Bener A, Frossard P-M, Abdulkhalik S, Bouix G: A clinical study of airborne allergens in the United Arab Emirates. Allerg Immunol (Paris). 1999, 31: 263-267.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Sattar HA, Mobayed H, Al-Mohammed AA, Ibrahim AS, Jufairi AA, et al: The pattern of indoor and outdoor respiratory allergens in asthmatic adult patients in a humid and desert newly developed country. Eur Ann Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003, 35: 300-305.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  7. Ezeamuzie CI, Al-Ali S, Khan M, et al: IgE-mediated sensitization to mould allergens among patients with allergic respiratory diseases in a desert environment. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2000, 121: 300-307. 10.1159/000024343.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Blaiss MS, Meltzer EO, Derebery MJ, Boyle JM: Patient and healthcare-provider perspectives on the burden of allergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2007, 28 (Suppl 1): S4-S10.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Shedden A: Impact of nasal congestion on quality of life and work productivity in allergic rhinitis. Findings from a large online survey. Treat Respir Med. 2005, 4: 439-446. 10.2165/00151829-200504060-00007.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Leynaert B, Neukirch C, Liard R, Bousquet J, Neukirch F: Quality of life in allergic rhinitis and asthma. A population-based study of young adults. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2000, 162: 1391-1396. 10.1164/ajrccm.162.4.9912033.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Meltzer EO, Nathan R, Derebery J, Stang PE, Campbell UB, et al: Sleep, quality of life, and productivity impact of nasal symptoms in the United States: findings from the Burden of Rhinitis in America survey. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2009, 30: 244-254. 10.2500/aap.2009.30.3230.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Sih T, Mion O: Allergic rhinitis in the child and associated comorbidities. Educational Clinical Case Series. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2009, 21: e107-e113.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Stull D, Roberts L, Frank L, Heithoff K: Relationship of nasal congestion with sleep, mood, and productivity. Current Med Res Opin. 2007, 23: 811-819. 10.1185/030079907X178793.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Young T, Fin L, Kim H, The University of Wisconsin Sleep and Respiratory Research Group: Nasal obstruction as a risk factor for sleep-disordered breathing. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1997, 99: S757-S762. 10.1016/S0091-6749(97)70124-6.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Walker S, Khan-Wasti S, Fletcher M, Cullinan P, Harris J, Sheikh A: Seasonal allergic rhinitis is associated with a detrimental effect on examination performance in United Kingdom teenagers: case-control study. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007, 120: 381-387. 10.1016/j.jaci.2007.03.034.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Bousquet J, Khaltaev N, Cruz AA, Denburg J, Fokkens WJ, et al: Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA) 2008 update in collaboration with the World Health organization, GA2LEN, and Aller-Gen. Allergy. 2008, 63 (Suppl 86): 8-160.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Aerius [summary of prescribing characteristics]. 2010, Brussels, Belgium: Schering-Plough Europe Ltd

  18. Bousquet J, Bachert C, Canonica GW, Mullol J, van Cauwenberge P, The ACCEPT-2 study group, et al: Efficacy of desloratadine in persistent allergic rhinitis: a GA2LEN study. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2010, 153: 395-402. 10.1159/000316351.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bousquet J, Bachert C, Canonica GW, Mullol J, van Cauwenberge P, The ACCEPT-1 study group, et al: Efficacy of desloratadine in intermittent allergic rhinitis: a GA2LEN study. Allergy. 2009, 64: 1516-1523. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02115.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Holmberg K, Tonnel AB, Dreyfus I, Olsson P, Cougnard J, Mesbah K, Devillier P: Desloratadine relieves nasal congestion and improves quality of life in persistent allergic rhinitis. Allergy. 2009, 64: 1663-1670. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2009.02096.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Bachert C, van Cauwenberge P: Desloratadine treatment for intermittent and persistent allergic rhinitis: a review. Clin Ther. 2007, 29: 1795-1802. 10.1016/j.clinthera.2007.09.009.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Kim K, Sussman G, Hébert J, Lumry W, Lutsky B, Gates D: Desloratadine therapy for symptoms associated with perennial allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006, 96: 460-465. 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60914-3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Meltzer EO, Jalowayski AA, Vogt K, Iezzoni D, Harris AG: Effect of desloratadine therapy on symptom scores and measures of nasal patency in seasonal allergic rhinitis: results of a single-center, placebo-controlled trial. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2006, 96: 363-368. 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)61249-5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Simons FER, Prenner BM, Finn A, The Desloratadine Study Group: Efficacy and safety of desloratadine in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2003, 111: 617-622. 10.1067/mai.2003.168.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Nayak AS, Schenkel E: Desloratadine reduces nasal congestion in patients with intermittent allergic rhinitis. Allergy. 2001, 56: 1077-1080. 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2001.00082.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Aberer W: Desloratadine for the relief of nasal and non-nasal allergic symptoms: an observational study. Arch Drug Inf. 2009, doi:10.1111/j (.1753-5174.2009):00018.x

    Google Scholar 

  27. Mendoza de Morales T, Sanchez F: Clinical efficacy and safety of a combined loratadine-betamethasone oral solution in the treatment of severe pediatric perennial allergic rhinitis. World Allergy Organ J. 2009, 2: 49-53. 10.1097/WOX.0b013e31819f2105.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Tassinari P, Suárez NR, Centeno J, Velásquez J, Aguirre-Mariscal H, The LA Desloratadine Study Group, et al: Desloratadine therapy improves allergic rhinitis symptoms in Latin American children aged 6 to 12 years. World Allergy Organ J. 2009, 2: 42-48. 10.1097/WOX.0b013e31819cdfdb.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  29. Kaulsay R, Rampal S, Puraviappan P: Effectiveness of desloratadine in improving quality of life in patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. Paper presented at 26th Congress of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI); June 9-13. 2007, ; Göteburg, Sweden

    Google Scholar 

  30. Ciebiada M, Gorska-Ciebiada M, Gorski P: The safety and efficacy of desloratadine for the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis: a multicenter study in Poland. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008, 100 (S1): A91-

    Google Scholar 

  31. Dumitrascu D: Improved symptom relief and quality of life with desloratadine in pollen-induced allergic rhinitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007, 119 (Suppl): S64-

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Braverman I, Beiser M, Gilad Z: Desloratadine treatment improves symptoms in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2007, 119 (Suppl): S64-

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Kósa L: A multicenter, open-label study of desloratadine for the treatment of nasal and ocular symptoms of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008, 121: S51-

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Montagne M: Desloratadine is safe and effective in the treatment of nasal symptoms of persistent allergic rhinitis (PAR): results of two observational studies. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2006, S320: 1236-

    Google Scholar 

  35. Carvalho A, Brito U, Cunha J, Torres S, Duarte P, Pereira D: The effect of 4-week treatment with desloratadine 5 milligrams once daily on quality of life and nasal symptoms in subjects with perennial allergic rhinitis and asthma. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2009, 123: S135-

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Villafuerte CV, Almazan NA, Joson RE: Desloratadine 5 milligrams daily is safe, well tolerated, and effective in subjects in the Philippines with allergic rhinitis or chronic idiopathic urticaria. Allergy. 2009, 64 (Suppl 90): S593-

    Google Scholar 

  37. Jawad J, Abdelmotaal A, Al-Nawasany O, Gamal A, Tahmeh H, et al: Observational study evaluating nighttime and early morning treatment satisfaction in patients receiving once daily desloratadine for seasonal allergic rhinitis in routine daily practice in Saudi Arabia. Allergy. 2008, 63 (Suppl 88): S523-

    Google Scholar 

  38. Canonica GW, Tarantini F, Compalati E, Penagos M: Efficacy of desloratadine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, controlled trials. Allergy. 2007, 62: 359-366. 10.1111/j.1398-9995.2006.01277.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Demoly P, Dreyfus I, Dhivert-Donnadieu H, Mesbah K: Desloratadine for the treatment of cypress pollen-induced allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2009, 103: 260-266. 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)60191-3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  40. Ciprandi G, Cirillo I, Vizzaccaro A, Civardi E, Barberi S, Allen M, Marseglia GL: Desloratadine and levocetirizine improve nasal symptoms, airflow, and allergic inflammation in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis: a pilot study. Int Immunopharmacol. 2005, 5: 1800-1808. 10.1016/j.intimp.2005.05.008.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Wilson AM, Haggart K, Sims EJ, Lipworth BJ: Effects of fexofenadine and desloratadine on subjective and objective measures of nasal congestion in seasonal allergic rhinitis. Clin Exp Allergy. 2002, 32: 1504-1509. 10.1046/j.1365-2745.2002.01509.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Berger WE, Lumry WR, Meltzer EO, Pearlman DS: Efficacy of desloratadine, 5 mg, compared with fexofenadine, 180 mg, in patients with symptomatic seasonal allergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2006, 27: 214-223. 10.2500/aap.2006.27.2851.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Horak F, Stübner P, Zieglmeyer R, Harris AG: Comparison of the effects of desloratadine 5-mg daily and placebo on nasal airflow and seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms induced by grass pollen exposure. Allergy. 2003, 58: 481-485. 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2003.00148.x.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Berger WE, Schenkel EJ, Mansfield LE: Safety and efficacy of desloratadine 5 mg in asthma patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis and nasal congestion. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2002, 89: 485-491. 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)62086-8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Greiff L, Persson CG, Andersson M: Desloratadine reduces allergen challenge-induced mucinous secretion and plasma exudation in allergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2002, 89: 413-418. 10.1016/S1081-1206(10)62044-3.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  46. Horak F, Stubner UP, Zieglmayer R, Harris AG: Effect of desloratadine versus placebo on nasal airflow and subjective measures of nasal obstruction in subjects with grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis in an allergen-exposure unit. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2002, 109: 956-961. 10.1067/mai.2002.124657.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Meltzer EO, Prenner BM, Nayak A, The Desloratadine Study Group: and tolerability of once-daily 5 mg desloratadine, an H1-receptor antagonist, in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Assessment during the spring and fall allergy seasons. Clin Drug Invest. 2001, 21: 25-32. 10.2165/00044011-200121010-00004.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

Medical writing and editorial assistance was provided by Carol Sibley, Karl Torbey, MD, and Patricia C. Abramo of AdelphiEden Health Communications, New York, NY. This assistance was funded by Merck, Sharpe & Dohme Corp.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tamer M. H. Adham MD, MRCPCH.

Rights and permissions

Open Access This article is published under license to BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0 ), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Adham, T.M.H. Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis With Desloratadine: Results of a Multinational Observational Study in the Middle East Gulf Region. World Allergy Organ J 4, 130–134 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1097/WOX.0b013e31822a6e9a

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1097/WOX.0b013e31822a6e9a

Keywords