Efficacy of allergen-blocker mechanical barrier gel on symptoms and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis

ProposeAllergic rhinitis (AR) is a very common, chronic and global health problem. In the last two decades, the efficiency of barrier-enforcing measures in AR has been investigated. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of allergen-blocker mechanical barrier gel (MBG) (AlerjiSTOP((R))) treatment on symptoms and quality of life score (QoLS) in patients with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.MethodsA single-center, prospective study was conducted between January 2017 and May 2018. Patients diagnosed with allergic rhinitis with a visual analogue scale (VAS) of 5 or higher (moderate/severe) were enrolled in the study. Patients were evaluated in terms of VAS, nasal symptom score (NSS), ocular symptom score (OSS), total symptom score (TSS) and QoLS at baseline, 1 week and 1 month of MBG treatment.ResultsA total of 83 patients with AR were enrolled in the study. Clinical and laboratory examinations showed that 50 (60.2%) patients were mono-sensitized. Allergen-blocker mechanical barrier gel treatment was performed as monotherapy in 22 (26.5%) patients. Median VAS, NSS, OSS and TSS decreased from 7 to 4, 8 to 3, 4 to 0 and 12 to 4, respectively (p<0.0001). Correlation analysis revealed positive correlations between lower pediatric rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire scores for patients under 12years of age and decrease in VAS, NSS and TSS (r=0.380, p=0.008; r=0.544, p<0.0001; r=0.543, p<0.0001). Positive correlations were detected between lower rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (self-administered) scores for patients12years of age and decrease in VAS, NSS, OSS and TSS (r=0.703, p<0.0001; r=0.465, p=0.005; r=0.526, p=0.001; r=0.624, p