Effect of intranasal phototherapy on quality-of-life of patients with allergic rhinitis

Background Allergic rhinitis affects significantly the quality of patient's life. Recently, it was proven that intranasal phototherapy has a beneficial effect on immunological processes in the nose. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of intranasal phototherapy on quality-of-life of patients with persistent allergic rhinitis. Method A prospective study of patients with confirmed persistent moderate-severe allergic rhinitis was carried-out. Allergic sensitization was evaluated by skin prick and/or measurement of specific IgE to perennial aeroallergens. Intranasal phototherapy, which directs a combination of UV-A (25%), UV-B (5%) and visible light (70%), was applied three times a week for two weeks continuously. All subjects had to avoid any topical nasal steroid or any antihistamine at least 4 weeks before and during the study. Assessment with rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ), total nasal symptom score (TNSS), visual analogue scale (VAS) was performed before and after the treatment. Results Quality-of-life of 15 studied subjects (mean age: 30.9±11.7 years) improved significantly after the treatment with intranasal phototherapy (sleep: 2.37±1.93 vs 1.15±0.72, p=0.023; activity: 2.89±1.38 vs 1.31±0.73, p=0.003; nasal symptoms: 2.78±1.54 vs 1.38±0.92, p=0.013; eye symptoms: 1.98±1.80 vs 0.88±0.91, p=0.005; other symptoms: 1.99±1.25 vs 1.16±1.04, p=0.010; practical problems: 3.62±1.91 vs 1.84±1.32, p=0.014; emotions: 2.03±1.45 vs 1.16±1.18, p=0.047). The treatment reduced all symptoms evaluated by TNNS: nasal congestion (2.00±1.00 vs 1.13±0.64; p=0.015), rhinorrhea (1.87±0.99 vs 0.94±0.80; p=0.013), sneezing (1.53±1.06 vs 0.67±0.61; p=0.026), difficulty to sleep (1.27±1.01 vs 0.20±0.56; p=0.080), and total score (8.67±4.01 vs 4.07±2.12; p=0.020). VAS was also changed significantly after the treatment (4.00±1.51 vs 1.60±1.24; p=0.003). Conclusion The present data suggest that intranasal phototherapy