抄録
Emedastine difumarate is a new anti-allergic agent which has been reported to be highly effective for allergy-induced nasal obstruction
We evaluated the efficacy of the agent (Remicut® 2mg, 2 capsules/day) taken for more than 2 weeks by 10 patients (7 males and 3 females aged 34.2±8.7 years) with perennial nasal allergy. We used a 100mm linear visual analogue scale (VAS) in the subjective measurement of the nasal sensation of airflow. Objective measurement was done with acoustic rhinometry, a newly developed technic which provides an accurate estimate of the cross-sectional area of the nasal cavity in relation to the distance from the nasal entrance and, by integration, the nasal cavity volume. For the statistical study the paired t test was used.
1) The mean±standard error (SE) of the VAS score was 28.0±7.9 before medication, 27.1±8.5 at one week, 25.3±7.6 at two weeks and 31.6±6.9 one week after the end of medication. There were no significant differences.
2) The mean±SE of the right+left minimum cross-sectional area of the nose was a) 0.68±0.10cm2 before medication, b) 0.75±0.10cm2 at one week, c) 0.79±0.10cm2 at two weeks and d) 0.75±0.10cm2 one week after the end of medication. The difference between a) and b) c) is significant (p<0.005).
3) The mean±SE of the right+left nasal cavity volume was a) 13.8±1.4cm3 before medication, b) 15.9±1.3cm3 at one week, c) 16.2±1.2cm3 at two weeks and d) 13.8±1.1cm3 one week after the end of medication. The difference between a) and b) c) is significant (p<0.01).
The present acoustic study shows that emedastine difumarate reduces allergy-induced nasal obstruction. However, the subjective sensation of nasal airflow was not significantly improved as shown by the VAS study.
