Thirty-two trials (n=8,434 participants, range 20 to 1,616) were included in the review. Mean Jadad scores ranged from 5 to 11.3 out of a maximum of 13 points. The weighted mean Jadad score for all trials was 9.29 (95% CI 8.7 to 9.88). The weighted mean Jadad score was 10.17 (95% CI 9.34 to 11; 10 trials) in the subgroup of trials that reported on combined total eye symptom scores and individual eye symptoms, 10.09 (95% CI 9.55 to 10.63; nine trials) in the subgroup that reported total eye symptoms alone, and 8.56 (95% CI 7.66 to 9.46; 13 trials) in the subgroup that reported on individual eye symptoms alone.
Combined total eye symptom scores and individual eye symptoms subgroup (10 trials): Compared with control, nine of the ten trials reported statistical improvement in total eye symptom scores and individual eye symptoms.
Total eye symptoms alone subgroup (13 trials): Compared with control, five of 13 trials reported statistical improvement in total eye symptoms.
Individual eye symptoms alone subgroup (nine trials): Three of nine trials reported statistical improvement in objective outcomes such as conjunctival redness and oedema when intranasal corticosteroids were compared with placebo, but not in subjective outcomes.