ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
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Year : 2016 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 1 | Page : 22-26 |
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Desipramine plus levocetirizine as a treatment for persistent allergic rhinitis
Diaa El Din Mohamed El Hennawi1, Mohamed Rifaat Ahmed MD 1, Ashraf Saad Abou-Halawa1, Wael Abdelkafy1, Ahmed Geneid2
1 Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt 2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Phoniatrics-Head and Neck Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Correspondence Address:
Mohamed Rifaat Ahmed Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia Egypt
Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2090-7540.183736
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Background
Persistent allergic rhinitis has significant effects on the quality of life (QOL), especially on sleep and work performance, and is associated with specific psychiatric syndromes.
Aim
The aim of the present study was to verify the efficacy of combined desipramine and levocetirizine in the treatment of psychological stress related to persistent allergic rhinitis, and to thereby improve the QOL of the patient.
Patients and methods
A total of 132 psychologically stressed persistent allergic rhinitis patients (positive Kessler Psychological Distress Scale scores ≥12) were randomly divided into two groups: the control group, which received levocetirizine, and the study group, which received levocetirizine plus desipramine. QOL for all patients was assessed by using a seven-point scale after the treatment period.
Results
There was a highly statistically significant better QOL in the study group (6.79) compared with the control group (2.21) (t-test=15.17 and P = 0.0001).
Conclusion
Desipramine and levocetirizine have a better effect on the QOL outcomes in the treatment of patients with persistent allergic rhinitis, and having psychological stress disorders.
Level of evidence: 3b.
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