A real-world study of quality of life following treatment with xylometazoline hydrochloride in individuals with common cold

The common cold is a frequent, acute, and mild upper respiratory human disease. Nasal congestion has been considered the most bothersome symptom in the common cold, impacting quality of life (QoL). Topical decongestants containing steroids benefit QoL in allergic rhinitis, but no published research has assessed the impact of topical decongestants on QoL in the common cold. To evaluate the effects of xylometazoline hydrochloride 0.1% (Otrivin, GSK Consumer Healthcare SARL, Switzerland) for up to 7 days on QoL in participants with nasal congestion associated with the common cold. This was a decentralized, longitudinal, open-label study. The study enrolled 136 participants (⩾18 years) with early symptoms of the common cold, of which 102 were included in the modified intention-to-treat (mITT) population. Within 24 h of study product receipt, participants confirmed a 'plugged nose' and ⩾1 other common cold symptom. Primary endpoints were Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey-21 (WURSS-21) total score, total and individual symptom scores, and total QoL score. Secondary endpoints were additional QoL scores. Exploratory and analyses included median days to resolution for each QoL factor and analyses of five QoL categories. Consistent improvements in symptoms and QoL were seen in the mITT population. From day 1, improvements were seen in the 'plugged nose' symptom ( = 0.0023), WURSS-21 total QoL score, and all individual QoL scores (