Evaluation of the effectiveness of omalizumab therapy in patients with allergic rhinitis

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of omalizumab on symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis and to compare with current medical treatment options. Material and Methods: 25 patients between the ages of 18-65 who were diagnosed as allergic rhinitis in the Yüzüncü Yıl Universty of Dursun Odabaşı Medical Center Otolaryngology Department were informed about the study and their consent was taken and the control group was formed. 25 patients between the ages of 18-65 who were planned to start omalizumab due to chronic urticaria and also allergic rhinitis in the Yüzüncü Yıl Universty of Dursun Odabaşı Medical Center Dermatology Department were informed about the study and their consent was taken and the study group was formed. A total of 50 patients, 25 of whom were in the study and control groups, were included in the study. Twenty-five patients in the control group received intranasal corticosteroid, oral antihistamine + antileukotriene receptor antagonist combination therapy. İntranasal corticosteroids were initiated in patients with AR who would be treated with omalizumab. Patients were followed for 8-10 weeks. Before and after treatment symptom scores were evaluated by visual analog scale and total Ig E values were measured. The findings were compared statistically. Results: In our study, significant improvements in AR symptom scores were observed in both control and study groups after treatment (p <0.05). The results showed that omalizumab had a significant efficacy in reducing the nasal obstruction, eye symptom scores and improving the quality of life compared with the control group (p <0.05). Conclusion: Our study showed that omalizumab reduces symptoms and increases quality of life in allergic rhinitis. Considering the cost of treatment, it suggested that only selected patients may have a new treatment option. Key words: allergic rhinitis, intanasal corticosteroid, omalizumab.