Efficacy of Prophylactic Treatment with Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (Pranlukast) for Japanese Cedar Pollinosis

Abstract

Background: The amount of cedar pollen influences the severity of symptoms of pollinosis. Therefore, it is necessary to clarify the correlation between pollen count, symptoms, and the effectiveness of several treatments. Methods: Subjects consisted of patients who consulted our hospital and ENT clinic during the peak cedar pollen-exposure season between 2010 and 2013. Patients were divided into two groups as follows: those who had taken only pranlukast twice daily prior to enrolling in the study (treated group) and those patients without any previous treatment (non-treated group). Patients consulted our hospital or ENT clinic during the peak 
exposure cedar pollen season, and they were asked about their symptoms and QOL using the Japanese Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JRQLQ). Results: Patients in the non-treated group had worse total symptom scores. No significant symptomatic changes were observed among patients in the treated group, despite annual differences in pollen count between 2010 and 2013. These results suggest that administration of pranlukast before the cedar pollen season may 
suppress symptoms regardless of the amount of pollen. Conclusion: Pranlukast is effective for prophylactic treatment of pollinosis.