Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Only double-blinded randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were included.
The treatment duration of included studies was 6 to 8 weeks, although this was not a criteria for inclusion.
Specific interventions included in the review
Intranasal corticosteroids: beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide, flunisolide, fluocortin, fluticasone propionate, mometasone, and triamcinolone acetonide. Comparison groups were any form of oral antihistamine, but studies that used topical antihistamines or topical mast cell stabilisers were excluded. All types of delivery vehicle (aqueous and non-aqueous) were considered.
Corticosteroids actually used in studies included in the review were: bedesonide (200ug, 400ug), beclomethasone (336ug, 400ug), fluticasone (200ug) and triacinolone (220 ug).
Anti-histamines actually used in studies included in the review were: dexchlorpheniramine (12mg), terfenadine (120mg), astemizole (10mg), loratadine (10mg) and cetirizine (10mg).
Participants included in the review
Participants had allergic rhinitis. Studies investigating the treatment of nasal polyps were excluded. The mean age of participants was 32 (range 12 to 75 years), and 55% of these were men.
Outcomes assessed in the review
Nasal blockage, nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal itch, postnasal drip, nasal discomfort, total nasal symptom score, nasal function (including nasal resistance), eye symptoms, global symptoms, and quality of life.
The mean daily cost of intranasal corticosteroids and of non-sedating oral antihistamines available in Australia was also calculated.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
Inclusion of studies was decided by a majority decision of all three reviewers, who independently read the methods sections of papers identified by the search strategy, and applied the stated criteria.