Daytime sleepiness and cognitive performance improve in seasonal allergic rhinitis treated with intranasal fluticasone propionate.

ABSTRACT

Patients with symptomatic allergic rhinitis often complain of daytime drowsiness and impairment in their speed of thinking responses. In this study, we compared subjects with allergic rhinitis treated with intranasal fluticasone propionate or placebo. We measured nasal symptoms, daytime sleepiness, and cognitive performance. Total nasal symptoms (p = 0.002) and nasal congestion (p = 0.003) improved in the intranasal fluticasone propionate group. Concomitantly, daytime sleepiness decreased (p = 0.001) and cognitive performance improved (p = 0.02). The placebo-treated subjects did not show any significant changes. Effective therapy of allergic rhinitis ameliorates the symptoms of daytime sleepiness and decreased cognitive performance.