Combined Korean medicine therapies in children with allergic rhinitis: A prospective, multicenter, observational registry study at primary-care network clinics

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) causes symptoms such as hyper-rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, and pain by triggering inflammation in the nasal mucosa and an immune response caused by antigen-specific Immunoglobulin E (IgE). This prospective multicenter observational study aimed to evaluate the symptoms change and safety of combined Korean medicine (KM) therapy in patients with AR. Methods: This study was conducted in HAMSOA Korean Medicine Clinics, a network specializing in treating pediatric patients in Korea, and 15 centers participated. The patients were divided into three groups (mild, moderate, and severe) according to their baseline total nasal symptom score. The patients were treated with herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping therapy, and moxibustion therapy. Results: The study involved 72 subjects aged 6.47 +/- 2.37 years. The average Numeric Rating Scale for allergic rhinitis symptoms at the baseline and final follow-up were 4.39 +/- 2.14 to 3.47 +/- 2.51, respectively, indicating a significant improvement over an average of 4 weeks. The Pediatric Allergic Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire scores at the final screening improved in all three groups. The mean difference was -10.44, with a 95 % confidence interval of -15.35 to -5.54 (p < 0.01.). Furthermore, no adverse events were reported in any patient in this study. Conclusion: The results provide preliminary evidence suggesting that KM treatment may be a safe and effective option for reducing symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis in children. Additional prospective studies are required to confirm the results of the present study.