TOPLINE:

Among patients with chronic rhinitis, radiofrequency ablation of the posterior nasal nerve with the NEUROMARK system reduced nasal symptoms and improved quality of life more than a sham control procedure.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers analyzed changes in symptoms and quality of life in 126 adults with chronic rhinitis who were randomly assigned to active treatment (n = 86; mean age, 59.4 years; 60.5% men) or a sham control procedure (n = 40; mean age, 58.1 years; 72.5% men).
• They inserted the multipoint, impedance-controlled device in both nasal cavities in all participants.
• In the control arm, they played an audio recording but did not deliver energy.
• Participants were followed up for 90 days and completed assessments, including the mini-Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire and Patient Health Questionnaire-9, which measures depression.

TAKEAWAY:

• The responder rate — the percentage of participants whose reflective Total Nasal Symptom Scores decreased by at least 30% from baseline — was 73.3% in the treatment group vs 35% in the control group (P < .001).
• Significantly greater reductions in nasal symptoms (P < .0001) and severity of depression (P = .028) and greater improvements in quality of life (P < .0001) were observed with active treatment, the researchers reported.
• One participant in the active treatment arm experienced epistaxis and was hospitalized for observation. Their nosebleed resolved and did not require further intervention.

IN PRACTICE:

“The study provides strong and convincing evidence that PNN [posterior nasal nerve] treatment with the NEUROMARK device is highly effective across multiple patient outcomes,” the authors wrote.

SOURCE:

Masayoshi Takashima, MD, with Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, was the corresponding author of the study, which was published online on January 8 in the International Forum of Allergy & Rhinology.

LIMITATIONS:

Physicians and staff knew which participants received active or sham treatment. Participants were instructed to continue their rhinitis medications during the trial, but the protocol did not otherwise dictate medication use.

DISCLOSURES:

This study was supported by Neurent Medical Ltd., which markets the NEUROMARK device. Two authors reported serving as medical advisor consultants for Neurent Medical, and one author reported serving as a medical writing consultant for the company.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.