RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of long term use of beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) nasal spray on bone density with perennial allergic rhinitis (AR) in adults. METHOD: A 5-year randomized study was conducted on the effects of BDP nasal spray on serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, and bone density determined before and after the treatment in 36 adult patients with perennial AR. 20-45 years of age, were randomly divided into 3 groups. That is group A (nasal spray 1 - <3 year), group B (nasal spray BDP 3 - <5 year) and group C (nasal spray BDP > or =5 year). The data were analyzed by paired t test. RESULT: The perennial AR were followed up for more than > or =1 year, > or =3 year and > or =5 year to observe the influences of nasal spray BDP. There were no significant difference between the data examined before and after the treatment (P > 0.05). Bone development is not influenced by nasal spray BDP < or =400 microg/d within 5 years. CONCLUSION: Long term use of BDP nasal spray in adult patients does not lead to osteoporosis if the lowest effective steroid dose is given.