Omalizumab is effective in the preseasonal treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis

Background To date no study has evaluated the efficacy of preseasonal omalizumab therapy with cost effective dose and at appropriate time point compared with standard medication in seasonal allergic rhinitis (SAR) patients. Methods This was a prospective randomized controlled open‐label single‐centre trial. 32 SAR patients were randomized to receive a single injection of omalizumab 300‐mg approximately two weeks before start of the pollen period (PP) or medication therapy. All patients completed daily questionnaires; recording symptoms, medication use and quality of life (QoL) throughout the observation period. The primary efficacy parameter was the mean daily Combined Symptom and Medication Score (CSMS). Results Preseasonal omalizumab significantly reduced the changes of mean daily CSMS of nose during the PP (p