The minimum effective dose of abobotulinum toxin A injection for allergic rhinitis: A dose-escalation randomized controlled trial

Olfactory Dysfunction in Allergic Rhinitis

Olfactory dysfunction (OD) can have serious consequences as it hinders individuals from detecting important warning signals like smoke, spoiled food, and gas leaks. This can significantly impact their nutritional status, eating satisfaction, and overall quality of life. Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease that greatly affects the quality of life and can lead to a decrease, distortion, or complete loss of olfactory ability. There are various tools available for diagnosing OD, ranging from simple screening tests to more detailed and complex methods such as electrophysiological and imaging procedures not available in everyday practice but reserved for experimental studies. The underlying mechanisms by which AR impacts olfactory ability are still not fully understood and are likely to be multifactorial. Current therapeutic options for OD resulting from AR are limited and only provide partial or temporary relief from olfactory impairment. However, there are promising treatments investigated such as biologics, olfactory training, neural stem cell transplantation, and various novel target therapies that might help improve OD in AR in the future. This review aims to evaluate the epidemiology, mechanisms, and detection of OD in AR, as well as provide an overview of the management strategies for OD secondary to AR.

The Presence and Severity of Inferior Turbinate Hypertrophy in Patients with Hypertrophic Scars

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the presence and severity of inferior turbinate hypertrophy (ITH) in patients with hypertrophic scars (HTS).

Methods

This case-control study was conducted with patients diagnosed with HTS during dermatologic examination and a control group without HTS. An otolaryngologist evaluated the presence and severity of inferior turbinate hypertrophy by anterior rhinoscopy.

Results

ITH was more common in patients with HTS compared to the control group (64%, and 34%, respectively) (p=0.014). In the HTS group, 48% of patients had grade 2, and 16% had grade 3 ITH; in the control group, 24% had grade 2, and 10% had grade 3 ITH (p=0.046). Also, ITH was higher in patients who complained of pruritus or pain (83%, and 80%, respectively) in the HTS than in asymptomatic HTS patients (p=0.020).

Conclusion

A higher number of patients with HTS had ITH compared to the control group, especially those who reported pruritus or pain associated with scar. Given the limited understanding of the full pathogenesis and treatment of HTS and ITH, their association potentially provides new insights into these related conditions.

International consensus statement on allergy and rhinology: Allergic rhinitis - 2023

BACKGROUND

In the 5 years that have passed since the publication of the 2018 International Consensus Statement on Allergy and Rhinology: Allergic Rhinitis (ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2018), the literature has expanded substantially. The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update presents 144 individual topics on allergic rhinitis (AR), expanded by over 40 topics from the 2018 document. Originally presented topics from 2018 have also been reviewed and updated. The executive summary highlights key evidence-based findings and recommendation from the full document.

METHODS

ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 employed established evidence-based review with recommendation (EBRR) methodology to individually evaluate each topic. Stepwise iterative peer review and consensus was performed for each topic. The final document was then collated and includes the results of this work.

RESULTS

ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 includes 10 major content areas and 144 individual topics related to AR. For a substantial proportion of topics included, an aggregate grade of evidence is presented, which is determined by collating the levels of evidence for each available study identified in the literature. For topics in which a diagnostic or therapeutic intervention is considered, a recommendation summary is presented, which considers the aggregate grade of evidence, benefit, harm, and cost.

CONCLUSION

The ICAR-Allergic Rhinitis 2023 update provides a comprehensive evaluation of AR and the currently available evidence. It is this evidence that contributes to our current knowledge base and recommendations for patient evaluation and treatment.

[Research progress of botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of chronic rhinitis]

Botulinum toxin（BoNT）, a superfamily of neurotoxins produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum, disturbs the signal transmission at the neuromuscular and neuroglandular junctions by inhibiting the neurotransmitter release from the presynaptic nerve terminal. BoNT has been widely used in neuromuscular, hypersecretory, and autonomic nerve system disorders. In recent years, botulinum toxin type A（BoNT-A） has been used to treat chronic rhinitis. Studies have shown that intranasal administration of BoNT-A is safe and effective, and can reduce nasal symptoms in rhinitis patients with long-lasting effects. This article reviews the research progress of BoNT-A in the treatment of chronic rhinitis.

Comparison between botulinum toxin and steroid septal injection in the treatment of allergic rhinitis

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects of botulinum toxin and steroid septal injections in treating allergic rhinitis (AR) by evaluating improvements in the rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT), visual analog scale (VAS), nasal obstruction symptom evaluation (NOSE) scores, and active anterior rhinomanometry (RMM) measurements.

METHODS

This prospective, single-blinded cohort study was conducted at the Department of Otolaryngology, Taipei City Hospital between January 2017 and December 2018. Ninety-five patients were randomized to receive botulinum toxin, dexamethasone, or normal saline (group A, group B, and placebo, respectively). The main outcome measures were pretreatment subjective nasal symptoms (RCAT, VAS, and NOSE) and active anterior RMM measurements. All measurements were repeated during posttreatment 1, 2, and 3 months.

RESULTS

No significant difference was observed in pretreatment questionnaire scores and RMM values between the study and placebo groups. The mean posttreatment RCAT, VAS, and NOSE scores after 1 and 2 months significantly improved in the treatment groups compared to placebo. The VAS and NOSE at posttreatment 2 months and RCAT, VAS, and NOSE at posttreatment 3 months were significantly different comparing group A to group B. All RMM parameters showed better values in group A than in group B at 1, 2, and 3 months posttreatment, with significant differences in four parameters in posttreatment 3 months.

CONCLUSIONS

Botulinum toxin septal injection is a safe treatment option for AR and improves subjective nasal symptoms for 3 months. Botulinum toxin A injection tended to be more effective than steroid septal injection in terms of duration and degree.Level of Evidence: 2b, individual cohort study.