Gunnar Svensson

TREATMENT OF VASOMOTOR RHINITIS WITH INTRANASAL BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE (BECOTIDE

The effect of beclomethasone dipropionate (Becotide) intranasally in vasomotor rhinitis has been studied on 39 adult volunteers in a double-blind cross-over study during 9 weeks in February-April 1975. The dose of beclomethasone dipropionate was 300 mug/day. Twenty-five patients preferred the beclomethasone dipropionate period, 5 patients the placebo period, and 9 patients had no preference. About three-quarters (74 per cent) of the patients considered themselves free of symptoms or greatly improved after the treatment with beclomethasone dipropionate. Statistical calculation of the daily nasal symptoms score confirms the improvement. The speediest effect was registered for sneezing, followed by nasal catarrh, nasal itching, and blocking. No changes in the levels of cortisol occurred during the treatment. The bacteriological and mycological findings (analysed with regard to Candida albicans) were fairly constant.

Dose-Response Relationship of a Topical Nasal Decongestant: Phenylpropanolamine

By means of anterior rhinomanometry, the decongestant effect of topically applied phenylpropanolamine (PPA) was evaluated in 40 patients with nasal obstruction. A dose-response relation was obtained for 0.5, 2.5 and 5.0% PPA solution, with the maximum effect (40% decongestion) found with the 2.5% solution. The decongestant effect was comparable to that induced by physical exercise (50% decongestion). It is concluded that PPA nose-drops are effective and offer an attractive alternative to some of the commonly used nasal decongestants.

Pathogenesis of Idiopatic Contact Granuloma of the Larynx. Results of a Prospective Clinical Study

The pathogenesis of idiopathic contact granuloma is still not clear. The present results of a prospective study on possible etiological factors indicate that oesophageal disturbances are common in patients with contact granuloma but some other pathogenetic factors must also be considered.

Effects of Topical Use of β-Adrenoceptor Stimulants on Nasal Mucosa. Rhinomanometric Evaluations in Experiments with Terbutaline and KWD 2131: I. Normal Persons and Hay Fever Patients in Asymptomatic Period

The effects of nasal airway resistance of the beta-adrenoceptor stimulants terbutaline (Bricanyl) and KWD 2131 intranasally have been studied by means of posterior rhinomanometry in 16 healthy volunteers and 13 asymptomatic patients with allergic rhinitis. The study was performed as randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind crossover trial. No obvious changes in nasal resistance were revealed. This makes the nasal muscosa a suitable organ for testing the capacity of beta-adrenoceptor stimulants to reduce the release of mediators from mast cells after allergen challenges.

AN OPEN ASSESSMENT OF BECOTIDE® (BECLOMETHASONE DIPROPIONATE) NASAL SPRAY IN SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS

The effect of beclomethasone dipropionate (Becotide) intranasally on hay-fever has been studied in 38 adult volunteers with grass pollen allergy. The trial was carried out as an open assessment with simultaneous pollen count during the months of June and July, 1974. With the dose 300 mug/day intranasally, 95 per cent of the subjects regarded the treatment as successful for the nasal symptoms. No effect on eye symptoms was recorded, and no evident side-effects were noted.

Treatment of vasomotor rhinitis with intranasal disodium cromoglycate (SCG). Results from a double-blind cross-over study.

The effect of SCG powder (Lomudalr, Intalr) intranasally in vasomotor rhinitis has been studied on 49 adult volunteers in a double-blind cross-over study during 13 weeks in January--April 1973. The dose of SCG was 40 mg/day. Although a substantial number of results were obtained, no significant difference between the effects of SCG and placebo treatment, on variables measured, was detected. However, some patients experienced relief with, and preferred, the treatment with SCG. The results from this investigation are discussed in comparison with those from other studies including patients with vasomotor rhinitis.

Effect in Patients Exposed to Grass Pollen (Sweden)

The effect of astemizole 10 mg daily was compared with that of clemastine 3 mg daily in 54 adult patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis in a double-blind study with concomitant pollen count during 4 weeks of the grass pollen season 1982. Similar symptom relieving effects were observed with the two medications together with a tendency towards less sedation with astemizole than with clemastine. No influences on liver or kidney function were found with any of the drugs. A gradual increase of the plasma concentration was observed. The implications of this in treatment of long duration requires further evaluation.

Influence of a β-Adrenoceptor Stimulant, Kwd 2131, in Nasal Histamine Provocation Tests: Rhinomanometrico Evaluations in Normal Persons and Patients with Hay fever

Nasal histamine provocation was performed in ll asymptomatic (out of season) patients with hay fever and in ll normal controls. Posterior rhinomanometry was used for objective evaluation. The histamine challenges caused nasal symptoms as well as increased nasal airway resistance. The differences in response between the two groups of subjects were not significant. KWD 2131, a beta-adrenoceptor-stimulating drug which was ascribed an antiallergic effect in a previous allergen provocation study, did not block the effects of histamine challenge in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover evaluation. The absence of protective action against histamine-induced effects with KWD 2131, supports a mast-cell-stabilizing effect of the substance in allergen provocation.

AN OPEN ASSESSMENT OF LOMUDAL® (DISODIUM CROMOGLYCATE) (2 PER CENT) NASAL SPRAY IN SEASONAL ALLERGIC RHINITIS

The effect of Disodium cromoglycate (Lomudal, Intal) on allergic rhinitis, given as a solution in a nasal spray, was studied in 23 adult volunteers with grass pollen allergy, none of whom were having hyposensitization therapy. The trial was carried out as an open assessment during the months of June and July, 1972. Two squirts (1.6 mg D.S.C.G.) from the nasal spray were applied to each nostril every 3 h throughout the day. In 80 per cent of subjects the treatment was successful. No side effects were noted, but five patients expressed a preference for a preparation that could be administered at less frequent intervals.

CUTANEOUS REACTIONS TO POLLEN EXTRACTS IN PATIENTS WITH HAY FEVER. SPECIAL REFERENCES TO GRASS POLLEN RECOMMENDED FOR TREATMENT IN FIXED COMBINATION

Skin reactivity to 8 common grass pollens was investigated in patients with hay fever using commercial, unfractionated extracts in serial dilution technique. The highest degree of sensitivity was observed for cocksfoot, meadow fescue, meadow foxtail, rye grass, timothy and Yorkshire fog. Five of those are included in the Allpyral 5-Grass Mix. The cutaneous responses to rye grass pollen overlap with those to timothy in a high degree.