Objective: This study was designed to determine whether nasal saline irrigation improved the symptoms and signs of allergic rhinitis (AR) and whether nasal saline irrigation could be used as a complementary management of AR in children while less steroids were used.
Method: 26 children with AR were divided into three groups and were given nasal saline irrigation and/or topical steroid. Symptoms and signs of AR and mucociliary clearance (MCC) were evaluated, and concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM)-1 in nasal secretion was detected.
Results: In AR children treated with nasal irrigation and tapered topical steroid at week 8 and week 12, a significant improvement in symptoms and signs was observed, and a significant decrease in the mean values of MCC and the mean concentrations of sICAM-1 in nasal secretions was also detected.
Conclusion: Nasal saline irrigation can be viewed as a good adjunctive treatment option for AR. It permitted the use of less topical steroids for controlling AR in children, which will contribute to fewer side effects and less economic burden.
Copyright 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.