What Is Allergic Rhinitis (AR)?

This is a long-term condition caused by allergic responses to things such as pollen, dust, mold, or animal fur. It affects between 1 and 4 out of every 10 people around the world. More and more people are experiencing AR, due to increasingly unhealthy lifestyles and environmental problems.

 What Are AR Symptoms?

A person with AR experiences a blocked nose, itchiness, and sneezing. The blockage can be partly from excess snot and partly from swelling inside the nose. Among other things, this can make it harder to breathe, which affects quality of life and as part of this, also sleep. Research has already shown a link between AR and not getting enough sleep. People with AR often wake more frequently and have lower-quality sleep (less deep sleep).

How Is AR Treated?

Most often, people with AR are prescribed a nose spray that contains a steroid medicine. This can help reduce the swelling, thus reduce the blocked nose. It is well-known that these sprays can help daytime symptoms.

Why Is Sleep Quality Important?

Getting enough sleep is essential for our mental and physical wellbeing. It maintains our mood, helps us to think and work clearly, and keeps our body systems running smoothly (such as our hormone and immune systems). Research has shown that chronic lack of sleep can lead to serious health issues such as obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart problems. In the long run, this means that lack of sleep can result in an early death. When it comes to AR, sleep disturbances can also make it much harder to cope with the daytime symptoms. Therefore, it is really important for researchers to figure out what helps reduce the sleep problems caused by AR. But, at the moment, there is very little information on this topic.

What Did the Researchers in This Study Do?

The researchers carried out a research activity known as a systematic review and meta-analysis. They searched research databases for high-quality research on topics such as steroid nose sprays, people with AR, other AR medications, and sleep quality. There are international guidelines for how to do this in the best way: such as using special databases, using particular search words, and following logical processes to carefully review and categorize what is found. The authors ended up with 18 suitable studies that included 6,019 people.

The authors also only chose a type of research called a randomized controlled trial. This type of research uses high-quality methods to test medicines or other treatments for a confident, scientific result. For example, all chosen studies checked that the participants actually did have AR, using allergy tests, and that their symptoms were only due to AR and no other issues. Also, the chosen studies used scientific sleep measurements to test sleep quality and compare it with the steroid nose spray treatment.

Do Steroid Nose Sprays Help Improve Sleep in People with AR?

The researchers found out that steroid nose sprays do help improve sleep for people with AR. This study is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to confirm these positive effects.

Why Do Steroid Nose Sprays Improve Sleep for People with AR?

They reduce swelling and congestion, which can otherwise disrupt sleep through breathing difficulties. They also reduce the irritating symptoms of itching and sneezing. By reducing these symptoms, patients may experience fewer disturbances during the night, leading to improved sleep continuity and quality.

What Are the Next Steps?

Clinically, this research helps to back up current medical guidelines that recommend steroid nose sprays as the first treatment option for AR. Steroid nose sprays are suitable for nearly everyone older than 12 years. If you think you might benefit from a steroid nose spray, you should speak to your doctor or nurse.