CHANGES IN QUALITY OF LIFE AND CLINICAL SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH ALLERGIC RHINITIS AFTER INTRANASAL PHOTOTHERAPY

Abstract

It is known that phototherapy has a positive effect on the immune processes in the mucous membrane. Recently, it was proven that intranasal phototherapy (IP) with combination of UVA (25%), UVB (5%) and visible light (70%) can be effective in treating allergic rhinitis (AR) irrespective of symptom-induced allergen and it is recommended as alternatives to medication. Aim – to investigate the effect of intranasal phototherapy on clinical symptoms and quality-of-life of patients with persistent allergic rhinitis.Methods. A study of patients with confirmed persistent moderate-severe AR was carried-out at the department of Immunology and Allergology at the Kaunas Clinics of LithuanianUniversity ofHealth SciencesHospital. Allergic sensitization was evaluated by skin prick and/ormeasurement of specific Ig E to aeroallergens. IP was applied three times a week for two weeks continuously with increasing doses. Standard AR treatment was not continued during the study. Assessment with rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ(s)) and total nasal symptom score (TNSS) was performed before and after the treatment. The clinical symptoms were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) during each procedure. Results. 73% of studied patients (n = 11) evaluated positively the effect of IP.Quality-of-life of studied subjects improved significantly after the treatment. The treatment reduced all symptoms evaluated by TNSS: nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, difficulty to sleep and total score. VAS scores were also reduced significantly after the procedures. Conclusions. Intranasal phototherapy may relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis and improve quality-of-life of the patients.