Burden of allergic rhinitis and impact of MP-AzeFlu from the patient perspective: pan European patient survey.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this survey were to (1) assess the burden of allergic rhinitis (AR) from the patient perspective, (2) investigate MP-AzeFlu use in real life and its impact on patients' lives and (3) explore factors associated with treatment satisfaction. METHODS: A cross-sectional, quantitative, online, questionnaire-based survey was conducted in seven European countries (March-June 2019). Questions explored AR burden and treatment satisfaction. Satisfaction was assessed using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication 9-item (TSQM-9; max score = 100). Participants (aged ≥18 years) had a doctor/healthcare provider confirmed AR diagnosis and used MP-AzeFlu within the last year. RESULTS: Pre-MP-AzeFlu treatment, participants (n = 1004) reported an average of 3.3 (SD:3.5) doctor visits/year, 8.1 (SD:11.0) days/year absenteeism and 15.8 (SD:18.9) days/year presenteeism due to AR. Only 48% of participants used MP-AzeFlu twice/day as recommended. Post-MP-AzeFlu 57% of participants reported better QoL, 47% reported fewer doctor visits and 52% discontinued polypharmacy. Absenteeism and presenteeism were reduced by 2.5 (SD 10.0) and 7.3 (SD:16.0) days/year, respectively. 70% of participants were more/much more satisfied with MP-AzeFlu versus previous AR treatment(s), and ≥70% were satisfied/extremely satisfied with its ability to prevent/treat AR, relieve symptoms and with its onset of action. Mean global, effectiveness and convenience TSQM-9 scores were 70.0 (SD:19.8), 68.3 (SD:21.6) and 72.7 (SD:20.4), respectively. Treatment satisfaction and effectiveness were significantly improved when MP-AzeFlu was taken as recommended. CONCLUSIONS: The impact of AR on patients' lives remains high. Real-life use of MP-AzeFlu reduces that impact and is associated with a high level of effectiveness, convenience and global satisfaction.

Real-life effectiveness of MP-AzeFlu in Irish patients with persistent allergic rhinitis, assessed by visual analogue scale and endoscopy.

INTRODUCTION: Most allergic rhinitis (AR) patients have moderate-to-severe, persistent disease. Meda Pharma's AzeFlu (MP-AzeFlu) combines intranasal azelastine hydrochloride (AZE) and fluticasone propionate (FP) in a novel formulation in a single device to treat AR. This prospective, noninterventional study sought to assess the effectiveness of MP-AzeFlu (one spray/nostril twice daily; 548 µg AZE/200 µg FP daily dose) in relieving AR symptom severity. METHODS: A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used prior to MP-AzeFlu treatment on days 0, 1, 3, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 by 53 persistent AR (PER) patients seen in routine clinical practice in Ireland. An endoscopy was performed on days 0 and 28, and symptoms of edema, discharge, and redness were scored on a three-point scale (for both nostrils). RESULTS: Patients using MP-AzeFlu experienced rapid VAS score reduction from 73.4 mm (standard deviation [SD], 20.3) at Day 0 to 31.5 mm (SD, 25.0) at day 28 (P < 0.0001) to 28.1 mm (SD, 24.1) at day 42 (P < 0.0001), a 45.3-mm reduction. On average, patients achieved a clinically relevant VAS score cutoff of 50 mm before Day 7. Total endoscopy score decreased from 7.5 mm (SD, 3.1) at baseline to 3.5 mm (SD, 2.5) at Day 28. The incidence of severe edema on endoscopy decreased from 53.1% at baseline to 3.8% at Day 28. A similar reduction in the incidence of thick/mucousy discharge (from 28.3% to 4.8%) and severe redness (from 34.9% to 0%) was also observed. CONCLUSIONS: MP-AzeFlu provided effective, rapid control of PER as assessed by VAS in a real-world clinical setting in Ireland. Symptom improvement was observed at Day 1, sustained for 42 days, and associated with improved mucosal appearance after 28 days. These results confirm the safety of MP-AzeFlu and exceed the efficacy demonstrated in phase 3 clinical studies for controlling AR in PER patients.