Nonallergic Irritant RhinitisPhase 2NCT02493257

Intranasal Capsaicin Treatment for Non-Allergic Irritant Rhinitis

A Phase 2 study testing Capsaicin in people with Nonallergic Irritant Rhinitis, run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston at 1 site in United States.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record

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Trial summary

The proposed study seeks to investigate the effect of intranasal capsaicin treatment in patient with Non-allergic irritant rhinitis (NAIR), as well as evaluate optical rhinometry (ORM) as a means to quantify symptomatic improvement in NAIR patients during and after treatment. Read more about this study

Who is it for?: Ages 18 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for: Nonallergic Irritant Rhinitis
What is being tested?: Capsaicin
Could I receive a placebo?: Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
How many people: 22 participants
Where: 1 siteUnited States
Study dates: Oct 2014to 2 Aug 2019
Phase: Phase 2
Are there results?: Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

Ages 18 to 70 years
All sexes
Healthy volunteers accepted
Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

Non-allergic irritant rhinitis (NAIR) patients as defined by history (symptoms of nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nasal itching or sneezing upon exposure to nasal irritants)
Patients with positive optical rhinometer (ORM) response with intranasal challenge with 0.5 millimolar (mM) capsaicin as described by Lambert et al 2012
Confirmed negative skin prick test to common allergens (which rules out allergic rhinitis)

Who cannot join

History of sinonasal surgery
Chronic rhinosinusitis
Inflammatory or granulomatous diseases
Asthma
Allergic rhinitis
Immunocompromised state

Show all 10Show fewer

Radiation to the head and neck
Intranasal steroid use >4 wks
Intranasal or systemic antihistamine x 3 days
Intranasal or systemic decongestants x 3 days

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

United States1 site

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
Houston, Texas, 77030

Other trials in United States

About this study

Official title: Double-Blinded Randomized Prospective Trial of Intranasal Capsaicin Treatment for Non-Allergic Irritant Rhinitis

Read the detailed description

A study by Lambert et. al. (2012) was able to objectively identify patients with NAIR by intranasal capsaicin challenge followed by assessment with optical rhinometry. Studies have shown that capsaicin therapy can improve symptoms of patients historically identified with NAIR via visual analog scale (VAS) rating of symptoms and symptom surveys; however, there has been no study evaluating the capsaicin therapy on patients objectively identified as NAIR patients.

Multiple studies have demonstrated that intranasal capsaicin can improve nasal symptoms of NAIR patients. Regarding the usage of capsaicin, there is a product on the market: Sinus Buster which has capsaicin as the active ingredient. Numerous research papers have evaluated the efficacy and safety of Sinus Buster for the treatment of congestion in non-allergic rhinitis patients. However, the diagnosis of NAIR in these previous studies was based primarily on history. In addition, the primary outcome in these studies was symptomatic without any objective evaluation. The goal of this study will be two-fold: with patients objectively identified as NAIR patients via the optical rhinometer, we will re-evaluate the therapeutic action of intranasal capsaicin on the management of rhinitic symptoms. We expect that the patients will show significant improvement in their symptoms. We will then use optical rhinometry as a means to objectively monitor changes in symptoms in NAIR patients. We expect that post treatment, patients will no longer have the positive response previously seen on intranasal capsaicin challenge before receiving treatment. We hope to be able to establish optical rhinometry as an objective measurement of symptom improvement for NAIR symptoms, along with the subjective patient surveys.

Conditions: Nonallergic Irritant Rhinitis
Being tested: Capsaicin, Placebo
Keywords: nonallergic irritant rhinitis, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea
Medical subject headings: Nasal Obstruction, Rhinorrhea

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

CapsaicinDrug
Also called intranasal capsaicin
PlaceboDrug
Also called 1% ethanol in 9% saline

Study groups in NCT02493257
Study group	Role	What they receive
intranasal capsaicin	Experimental	The capsaicin solution will be prepared by using the formula previously reported by Van Rijswijk et al; (0.1mmol/l) diluted in ethanol and 0.9% normal saline (19). Using the mucosal atomizer device (MAD), 0.8 milliliters (mL) will be delivered to each nasal cavity for a total of 24.4 ug per nasal cavity. 5 consecutive applications of capsaicin or placebo will be administered intranasally, with 1 hour between each application. Receives: Drug: Capsaicin
Vehicle solution	Placebo comparator	100 μL of 1% ethanol in 0.9% saline solution. 5 consecutive applications of capsaicin or placebo will be administered intranasally, with 1 hour between each application. Receives: Drug: Placebo

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

Change in Total Symptom Score
The Total Symptom Score (TSS) uses a visual analog scale (VAS) to assess typical nasal symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), including sneezing, nasal irritation, nasal obstruction, and nasal congestion. The TSS is based on a commonly used rhinitis rating system recommended by the FDA for clinical trial studies on non-allergic rhinitis. 4 symptoms (sneezing, nasal irritation, nasal obstruction, and nasal congestion) are rated on a VAS ranging from 0 (none, no distress) to 10 (agonizing, unbearable distress). The TSS total score is the sum of the VAS score for each of the 4 symptoms, with the TSS total score ranging from 0 (none, no distress) to 40 (agonizing, unbearable distress).
Measured: baseline and 4 weeks
Change in Total Symptom Score
The Total Symptom Score (TSS) uses a visual analog scale (VAS) to assess typical nasal symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), including sneezing, nasal irritation, nasal obstruction, and nasal congestion. The TSS is based on a commonly used rhinitis rating system recommended by the FDA for clinical trial studies on non-allergic rhinitis. 4 symptoms (sneezing, nasal irritation, nasal obstruction, and nasal congestion) are rated on a VAS ranging from 0 (none, no distress) to 10 (agonizing, unbearable distress). The TSS total score is the sum of the VAS score for each of the 4 symptoms, with the TSS total score ranging from 0 (none, no distress) to 40 (agonizing, unbearable distress).
Measured: baseline and 12 weeks
Change in Nasal Blood Flow as Indicated by Change in Maximal Optical Density Assessed by Optical Rhinometry
Optical rhinometry provides continuous measurement of blood flow in nasal vessels (via optical density measurements), which serves as an indirect assessment of nasal congestion. A greater decrease in optical density (OD) from baseline indicates less nasal blood flow and decreased congestion relative to baseline.
Measured: baseline and 4 weeks
Change in Nasal Blood Flow as Indicated by Change in Maximal Optical Density Assessed by Optical Rhinometry
Optical rhinometry provides continuous measurement of blood flow in nasal vessels (via optical density measurements), which serves as an indirect assessment of nasal congestion. A greater decrease in optical density (OD) from baseline indicates less nasal blood flow and decreased congestion relative to baseline.
Measured: baseline and 12 weeks

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

Oct 20142 Aug 2019

First posted9 Jul 2015 (estimated)
Study startOct 2014
Primary completion2 Aug 2019
Study completion2 Aug 2019

Resources

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
Other trials for Nonallergic Irritant RhinitisStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
More trials run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, HoustonThe sponsor's other registered studies.
What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design

Study type: Interventional
Phase: Phase 2
Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Masking: Quadruple blind
Who is masked: Participant, Care provider, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment: 22 participants (actual)

IDs, dates and publications

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02493257
Sponsor's protocol ID: HSC-MS-14-0173
Status last verified: Jul 2020
First submitted: 3 Nov 2014
Last updated: 17 Aug 2020
Results posted: Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
Data monitoring committee: No

Study at a glance

From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 17 Aug 2020. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.

Official title: Double-Blinded Randomized Prospective Trial of Intranasal Capsaicin Treatment for Non-Allergic Irritant Rhinitis
ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02493257
Acronym / sponsor ID: HSC-MS-14-0173
Conditions: Nonallergic Irritant Rhinitis
Keywords: nonallergic irritant rhinitis, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea
Phase: Phase 2
Study type: Interventional
Recruitment status: Completed
Enrolment: 22 participants (actual)
Lead sponsor: The University of Texas Health Science Center, HoustonUniversity, hospital or other
Collaborators: American Academy of Otolaryngic Allergy
Study start: Oct 2014
Primary completion: 2 Aug 2019 (actual)
Study completion: 2 Aug 2019 (actual)
First posted: 9 Jul 2015 (estimated)
Results: Posted 17 Aug 2020

Clinical summary

The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.

Detailed description

Study design

Primary purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomised
Intervention model: Parallel groups
Masking: Quadruple blind (participant, care provider, investigator, outcomes assessor)
Number of arms: 2

Arm	Type	Receives
intranasal capsaicin	Experimental	Drug: CapsaicinThe capsaicin solution will be prepared by using the formula previously reported by Van Rijswijk et al; (0.1mmol/l) diluted in ethanol and 0.9% normal saline (19). Using the mucosal atomizer device (MAD), 0.8 milliliters (mL) will be delivered to each nasal cavity for a total of 24.4 ug per nasal cavity. 5 consecutive applications of capsaicin or placebo will be administered intranasally, with 1 hour between each application.
Vehicle solution	Placebo comparator	Drug: Placebo100 μL of 1% ethanol in 0.9% saline solution. 5 consecutive applications of capsaicin or placebo will be administered intranasally, with 1 hour between each application.

Who may qualify

Ages: 18 to 70 years
Sex: All
Healthy volunteers: Accepted
Age groups: Adult, Older adult

Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)

Non-allergic irritant rhinitis (NAIR) patients as defined by history (symptoms of nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, nasal itching or sneezing upon exposure to nasal irritants)
Patients with positive optical rhinometer (ORM) response with intranasal challenge with 0.5 millimolar (mM) capsaicin as described by Lambert et al 2012
Confirmed negative skin prick test to common allergens (which rules out allergic rhinitis)

Key exclusion criteria (10 listed)

History of sinonasal surgery
Chronic rhinosinusitis
Inflammatory or granulomatous diseases
Asthma
Allergic rhinitis

Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.

Interventions

Intervention	Type	Arms
CapsaicinAlso: intranasal capsaicin	Drug	intranasal capsaicin
PlaceboAlso: 1% ethanol in 9% saline	Drug	Vehicle solution

Primary outcome

Change in Total Symptom Score
Time frame: baseline and 4 weeks
The Total Symptom Score (TSS) uses a visual analog scale (VAS) to assess typical nasal symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), including sneezing, nasal irritation, nasal obstruction, and nasal congestion. The TSS is based on a commonly used rhinitis rating system recommended by the FDA for clinical trial studies on non-allergic rhinitis. 4 symptoms (sneezing, nasal irritation, nasal obstruction, and nasal congestion) are rated on a VAS ranging from 0 (none, no distress) to 10 (agonizing, unbearable distress). The TSS total score is the sum of the VAS score for each of the 4 symptoms, with the TSS total score ranging from 0 (none, no distress) to 40 (agonizing, unbearable distress).
Change in Total Symptom Score
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
The Total Symptom Score (TSS) uses a visual analog scale (VAS) to assess typical nasal symptoms of non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), including sneezing, nasal irritation, nasal obstruction, and nasal congestion. The TSS is based on a commonly used rhinitis rating system recommended by the FDA for clinical trial studies on non-allergic rhinitis. 4 symptoms (sneezing, nasal irritation, nasal obstruction, and nasal congestion) are rated on a VAS ranging from 0 (none, no distress) to 10 (agonizing, unbearable distress). The TSS total score is the sum of the VAS score for each of the 4 symptoms, with the TSS total score ranging from 0 (none, no distress) to 40 (agonizing, unbearable distress).
Change in Nasal Blood Flow as Indicated by Change in Maximal Optical Density Assessed by Optical Rhinometry
Time frame: baseline and 4 weeks
Optical rhinometry provides continuous measurement of blood flow in nasal vessels (via optical density measurements), which serves as an indirect assessment of nasal congestion. A greater decrease in optical density (OD) from baseline indicates less nasal blood flow and decreased congestion relative to baseline.
Change in Nasal Blood Flow as Indicated by Change in Maximal Optical Density Assessed by Optical Rhinometry
Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks
Optical rhinometry provides continuous measurement of blood flow in nasal vessels (via optical density measurements), which serves as an indirect assessment of nasal congestion. A greater decrease in optical density (OD) from baseline indicates less nasal blood flow and decreased congestion relative to baseline.

Results and safety

Results posted to the registry on 17 Aug 2020, as reported by the sponsor. Figures are copied from the record, not re-analysed. Full results on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Participant flow

Group	Started	Completed
Intranasal Capsaicin	11	10
Vehicle Solution	11	10

Primary outcome: Change in Total Symptom Score

Time frame: baseline and 4 weeks. Median (Inter-Quartile Range). Unit: score on a scale

Measure	Intranasal Capsaicin n = 11	Vehicle Solution n = 11
Value	-5 (-12 to -2)	2 (-4 to 3)

Primary outcome: Change in Total Symptom Score

Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks. Median (Inter-Quartile Range). Unit: score on a scale

Measure	Intranasal Capsaicin n = 10	Vehicle Solution n = 10
Value	-4.5 (-13 to 0)	1.5 (-2 to 8)

Population analysed: Data was not collected for 1 participant in the intranasal capsaicin arm and 1 participant in the vehicle solution arm.

Primary outcome: Change in Nasal Blood Flow as Indicated by Change in Maximal Optical Density Assessed by Optical Rhinometry

Time frame: baseline and 4 weeks. Median (Inter-Quartile Range). Unit: log ratio of light in to light out (OD)

Measure	Intranasal Capsaicin n = 11	Vehicle Solution n = 11
Value	-0.05 (-0.38 to 0.04)	-0.05 (-0.12 to 0.12)

Primary outcome: Change in Nasal Blood Flow as Indicated by Change in Maximal Optical Density Assessed by Optical Rhinometry

Time frame: baseline and 12 weeks. Median (Inter-Quartile Range). Unit: log ratio of light in to light out (OD)

Measure	Intranasal Capsaicin n = 10	Vehicle Solution n = 10
Value	-0.08 (-0.41 to 0.15)	-0.05 (-0.13 to 0.17)

Population analysed: Data was not collected for one participant in the intranasal capsaicin arm and for one participant in the vehicle solution arm.

Adverse events

Time frame: 12 weeks. Other adverse events reported at 0% frequency or more

Group	Serious adverse events	Other adverse events	Deaths
Intranasal Capsaicin	0 of 11 (0%)	0 of 11 (0%)	0 of 11
Vehicle Solution	0 of 11 (0%)	0 of 11 (0%)	0 of 11

Limitations and caveats (from the sponsor): Small sample size; 2 patients lost to follow-up at 12 weeks; inability to identify NAR patients with elevated local Immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, which may contribute to limited improvement in some NAR patients in the intervention group.

Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…

Research links

Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 17 Aug 2020.
Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.

Referral and contact

AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.

Amber U Luong, MD, PhD principal investigator

The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston

1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A Phase 2 study testing Capsaicin in people with Nonallergic Irritant Rhinitis, run by The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston at 1 site in United States.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 10 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 17 Aug 2020. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

What does this phase mean?

Phase 2 studies give the treatment to a larger group to see whether it has the intended effect and to keep checking safety.

Not every study follows the same path, and some studies (observational studies, device studies) have no phase.

Are results available for this study?

Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 17 Aug 2020). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Change in Total Symptom Score (time frame: baseline and 4 weeks). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT02493257.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 17 Aug 2020; AzTrials last refreshed its copy on 7 Nov 2026.