Antileukotrienes improve naso-ocular symptoms and biomarkers in patients with NARES and asthma

Objective The aim of our study was to analyze the montelukast effectiveness in improving oculonasal symptoms, patient‐reported outcomes (PROs), and eosinophilic biomarkers in patients with nonallergic rhinitis eosinophilic syndrome (NARES). Methods We enrolled prospectively 80 symptomatic patients treated with 10 mg once a day of montelukast in monotherapy for 2 months. All patients were investigated before and after treatment. Nasal symptoms (nasal obstruction, rhinorrhoea, sneezing, nasal itching), ocular symptoms (redness/puffiness, watery eyes), and other PROs (olfactory dysfunction, difficulty going to sleep, nighttime awakenings, and nasal congestion on awakening) were scored by visual analogic scale. The following clinical scores were assessed: Total Nasal Symptom Score (T4NSS), Total Ocular Symptom Score (T2OSS), Total Symptom Score of Patient‐Reported Outcomes (TSS‐PROs), and a Composite Symptoms Score (CSS). Patients were classified as responders when a reduction of at least 50% of the CSS was observed. Before and after treatment, the eosinophilic biomarkers in nasal lavage were analyzed: nasal eosinophilia (number of eosinophils per high power field), eotaxin‐1 and eotaxin‐2. Results After treatment, significant reductions were observed for all the symptom scores. Forty‐two of 78 patients were considered responders. A significant reduction of eosinophils in nasal mucosa and of levels of eotaxin‐1 and eotaxin‐2 in nasal lavage were observed after treatment in responder patients. Patients with asthma had an increased probability to be responders. Conclusion NARES patients may benefit from treatment with montelukast. In particular, the presence of concomitant asthma may be predictive of a greater efficacy.