Intranasal phototherapy for allergic rhinitis

To inform the committee, NICE did a rapid review of the published literature on the efficacy and safety of this procedure. This comprised a comprehensive literature search and detailed review of the evidence from 9 sources, which was discussed by the committee. The evidence included 1 meta-analysis, 7 randomised controlled trials (4 of which were also included in the meta-analysis) and 1 case series (also included in the meta-analysis), and is presented in table 2 of the interventional procedures overview. Other relevant literature is included in the appendix of the overview.

The specialist advisers and the committee considered the key efficacy outcomes to be: quality of life, patient-reported improvement of rhinitis symptoms, and reduction in medication use.

The specialist advisers and the committee considered the key safety outcomes to be: epistaxis, damage to the epithelia of the nose, and malignancy.

Patient commentary was sought but none was received.

The committee was informed that there is a theoretical risk of intranasal malignancy with this procedure.

The published research used a variety of different devices with differing wavelengths and treatment protocols, although most of the evidence came from the use of ultraviolet light.

Allergic rhinitis is a very common condition.

The mechanism of action of this procedure is poorly understood.