Effect of momethasone furoate combined with loratadine and montelukast sodium on inflammatory factors and pulmonary function in children with allergic rhinitis

Objective: To compare the effects of mometasone furoate in combination with loratadine and montelukast sodium on inflammatory factors and pulmonary function in children with allergic rhinitis (AR). Methods: In this retrospective study, a total of 89 children with AR admitted to our hospital from March 2020 to October 2021 were enrolled. Among them, 47 children who received mometasone furoate combined with loratadine were designated group A, while the other 42 with mometasone furoate combined with montelukast sodium were group B. The clinical efficacy of both groups was compared, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-alpha as well as the changes of pulmonary function levels were tested during the treatment. Adverse reactions during treatment were recorded. Finally, children were followed up for 3 months to record rhinitis recurrence after discontinuation of the treatment. Results: There was no statistical difference in clinical treatment efficacy between both groups (P>0.05), while the levels of IL-6, TNF-alpha, and IgE were lower in children in group A than in group B at 2 weeks of treatment. Group A's lung function indexes, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%), forced expiratory volume in one second/forced vital capacity (FEV1/FVC) and peak expiratory flow (PEF), were higher than in group B (all P<0.05). The total incidence of adverse reactions was dramatically lower in group A than group B (P<0.05). Follow-up demonstrated no difference in the recurrence rate of rhinitis between both groups of children (P>0.05). Higher TNF-alpha after treatment, history of allergy, family history of rhinitis, combined asthma, and parental history of smoking were independent risk factors for relapse after discontinuation of the drug in children. Conclusion: Both mometasone furoate combined with either loratadine or montelukast sodium had good effects in AR, while the first option had a faster inhibitory effect on inflammatory factors and a better protection of lung function in children.