Comparative Clinical Study Of Chongqing CZB High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) Therapeutic Device With Intranasal Steroids And H1-Antihistamine In Treating Allergic Rhinitis Patients.

Objective: To compare the clinical therapeutic effect of Chongqing HighIntensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapeutic device with intranasalsteroids and H1-antihistamines in treating persistent allergic rhinitispatients.Design: Controlled Prospective.Methods:95Patients attending ENT OPD from June2011up toFebruary2012who had been diagnosed as moderate-severe persistentallergic rhinitis (PER) in accordance to ARIA guidelines (2010revised).The enrolled patients were divided into2groups: group1andgroup2.63patients were in group1and treated by the CZB ultrasoundtherapeutic device developed and produced by Chongqing Haifu (HIFU)and32patients were in group2and treated with intranasal steroids(Fluticasone propionate) and antihistamines (Loratadine). The benefitswere observed on the first day,1st week,4th weeks and12thweek,assessing improvement in each individual nasal symptom. Efficacy Measurements: The therapeutic effect was evaluated by totalnasal symptom score (TNSS) and Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQoL),pretreatment (week0) and post treatments (4weeks and12weeks).Results: The total effective rate of HIFU was35.53%after1week,82.73%after4weeks and82.24%after12weeks whereas for the controlgroup the total effective rate was63.61%after1week,81.29%after4weeks and77.55%after12weeks. Differences were statisticallysignificant (p<0.05) when symptoms scores were assessed separately.Conclusions: HIFU has proven to be as effective and safe tool in thetreatment of allergic rhinitis as conventional drug treatment proposed byARIA guidelines with minimal side effects. The long term therapeuticeffect in comparison to INS and antihistamines need to be further studied.