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Objective:This study investigated improvements in quality of life associated with eight weeks of montelukast and/or intranasal steroid treatment for moderate to severe allergic rhinitis.Methods:A single-centre, prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out. Assessments were made using the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and symptom scales.Results:A total of 128 patients (aged 13–51 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups. In the montelukast group, patients were treated with montelukast tablets and fluticasone propionate nasal spray (n = 64). In the placebo group, treatment comprised a placebo and fluticasone propionate. The results showed significant improvements in symptom scores and quality of life scores for both groups after one month and two months of treatment, compared with baseline values; these improvements were significantly greater for the montelukast group compared with the placebo group. The mean number of loratadine tablets taken by each patient during the study period was only 0.73 for the montelukast group compared with 9 for the placebo group.Conclusion:The combination of montelukast tablets and fluticasone propionate nasal spray improved symptom control and overall quality of life for moderate to severe allergic rhinitis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective:To determine the sensitivity and specificity of intensive empirical treatment with pantoprazole in diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux in adults.Study design:This was a prospective, double-blind study.Subjects and methods:Fifty-five patients with either a Reflux Symptom Index of more than 13 or a Reflux Finding Score of more than 7 were enrolled. All patients underwent 24-hour, double-probe pH monitoring before commencing pantoprazole 40 mg twice daily; both investigators and patients were blinded to pH monitoring results. The Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score were reassessed during the second, third and fourth month of follow up.Results:The sensitivity of empirical pantoprazole treatment in diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux was 92.5 per cent. The specificity was 14.2 per cent, the positive predictive value 86 per cent and the negative predictive value 25 per cent. There was significant reduction in the total Reflux Symptom Index and Reflux Finding Score after the second, third and fourth month of treatment. There was no correlation between laryngopharyngeal reflux and body mass index.Conclusion:Our results suggest that intensive empirical treatment with proton pump inhibitors is effective in diagnosing laryngopharyngeal reflux. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]