[Efficacy of topical azelastine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis caused by Parietaria officinalis]

We have evaluated the efficacy of azelastine, a new long acting antihistamine, in the topic treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis to Parietaria officinalis. Forty five patients have been considered, 20 males and 25 females, mean age 28.5 years, suffering from seasonal rhinitis to Parietaria officinalis for at least 4 years. Azelastine was administered twice a day for 4 weeks in the pollen season. On a daily diary-card, patients had to record the severity of the symptoms considered: runny nose, sneeze, itching nose, nasal obstruction, following an arbitrary score from 0 to 3. At the end of the study, patients obtained a significant improvement of the symptoms considered without the addition of any other topical or systemic therapy. No side effects have been reported. Therefore azelastine is an effective drug in the treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis to Parietaria officinalis.