Barrier-enforcing measures as treatment principle in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review

Abstract

Background and objectives

Barrier-enforcing measures have been suggested as treatment options for allergic rhinitis. This review identifies and describes the literature on the subject.

Methods

Relevant publications were searched for in the PubMed database (search entries: ‘allergic rhinitis’ and ‘treatment’). The evaluation comprised condition (seasonal or perennial allergic rhinitis), type of intervention, duration of treatment, study design, peer review status or not, number of test subjects, type of allergen exposure, and outcome in terms of effects or not on nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Results

Fifteen studies were either identified in the PubMed database search or from the reference lists of identified publications. Seven were placebo-controlled, randomized, and peer-reviewed, and symptom-reducing effects were reported by all of these reports. Limitations of this review reflect that the remainder of the studies had inferior designs, particularly lack of placebo control.

Conclusions

Barrier-enforcing measures as achieved by nasal administrations of cellulose powder and microemulsions, respectively, have symptom-reducing effects in allergic rhinitis.

Keywords::

• Allergy
• Microemulsion
• Treatment

Transparency

Declaration of funding

No funding was provided for this review.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

M.A., L.G., and P.W. are shareholders in Nares AB, a company focusing on the use of microemulsions in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Nares AB receives royalties from the Reig Jofré group, Bioglan AB, and Midsona AB from sales of products based on Nares’ microemulsion technology. M.A. and L.G., through the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, H&N Surgery, Lund, Sweden, have received financial support from the Reig Jofré group for one study focusing on the use of a microemulsion in allergic rhinitis. Similarly, P.O. has received financial support from the Reig Jofré group for the same study.

CMRO peer reviewers may have received honoraria for their review work. The peer reviewers on this manuscript have disclosed that they have no relevant financial relationships.