Efficacy of indoor air purification in the treatment of Artemisia pollen-allergic rhinitis: A randomised, double-blind, clinical controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of a high-efficiency air purifier in patients with allergic rhinitis. DESIGN: We conducted a randomised, double-blind, clinical controlled trial with active and inactive versions of an air purifier. Our study included patients with allergic rhinitis who were sensitive to Artemisia pollen and treatment of the indoor environment using air filtration at night. We evaluated the clinical efficacy of indoor air filtration during the Artemisia pollen scattering season in Yulin City in Shanxi Province, China. SETTING: The First Hospital of Yulin (Yulin City, Shanxi Province, China). PARTICIPANTS: A total of 90 patients with allergic rhinitis who were sensitive to allergens of Artemisia pollen were randomly assigned to one of two groups in equal numbers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was the difference in visual analogue scale scores from baseline. Secondary outcomes were changes from baseline in nasal symptoms, allergy symptom scores, responses to the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores and tolerability scores for the air purifier. RESULTS: Based on the allergy symptom score, we found significant differences in rhinitis symptoms between the groups who used the active versus the inactive air purifier. CONCLUSIONS: The results of our investigation demonstrated the health benefits of particle filtration.

Efficacy of indoor air purification in treating Artemisia (mugwort) pollen allergic rhinitis: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a worldwide health problem. Allergen avoidance is strongly recommended for AR patients. Air purification can reduce concentrations of particles in indoor air, including those of allergens. Air purifiers have been recommended by clinicians for AR patients, but few studies have focused on the removal of airborne allergens from home environments. Such studies have been limited by a lack of blinding, small samples, or a failure to measure allergen levels, disease activity, or a combination of these factors. This study investigates the efficacy of a high-efficiency air purifier in reducing disease activity in the homes of AR patients sensitive to the allergens produced by Artemisia (mugwort) pollen. METHODS: This is a randomized, double-blind, clinical controlled trial that will test active and inactive versions of an air purifier (Atmosphere®; Amway China). Sixty AR patients sensitive to the allergens produced by Artemisia pollen will be assigned randomly to two groups of equal numbers. All patients will undergo a 4-week treatment period and a 4-week observation period. Evaluation will be conducted at baseline (day 0) and on days 7, 14, 21, 28, and 56. The primary outcome measure will be the difference in visual analog scale scores from baseline. Secondary outcomes will be changes from baseline in nasal symptoms, allergy symptom scores, responses to the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire, Epworth Sleepiness Scale scores, and tolerability scores for the air purifier. Side effects of treatment will be recorded. DISCUSSION: Reducing exposure to allergens can reduce the risk of conditions such as AR. We hypothesise that AR patients sensitive to the allergens produced by Artemisia pollen will not suffer symptoms in a pollen-free environment. AR patients can remove pollen from their homes using air purifiers, decreasing the risk of symptoms. We expect that our study results will provide reliable evidence for determining the effects of air-purification therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ChiCTR-INR-17012481 . (Retrospectively registered 26 August 2017).

[Clinical study on treatment of acute radiation oral mucositis of yin deficiency-induced inner heat syndrome by nourishing yin and clearing heat method].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of Chinese medicine for nourishing yin and clearing heat therapy (CM therapy) in treating nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with yin deficiency-induced inner heat syndrome, and suffered from acute radiation oral mucositis. METHODS: Sixty patients with NPC fitting to the inclusion criteria and undergoing initial dose radiotherapy were assigned to two groups. The 31 patients in the treatment group received CM therapy, and the 29 in the control group were treated with standard Western medical therapy. The condition of oral mucosa and epidermal growth factor (EGF) content in saliva of patients during the therapeutic period were observed, meanwhile the quality of life (QOL) of patients was estimated with the quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (QLQ-C30) issued by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC). RESULTS: Acute radiation oral mucositis occurred in all patients, but the severity in the treatment group was milder than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Salivary EGF content decreased along with the increasing radiation dosage, it decreased significantly when 40 Gy radiated and down to the minimum when 70 Gy radiated, but the decrement in the treatment group was less than that in the control group (P < 0.01). Comparison of QOL by QLQ-C30 scale showed that after radiotherapy the global health status in the treatment group was superior to the control group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Chinese medicine for nourishing yin and clearing heat therapy could actually postpone the occurrence of acute radiation oral mucositis, lessen the adverse reaction of radiotherapy and improve patient's QOL, show a favorable effect in prevention and treatment, and has definite application value for clinical spreading.