A preference evaluation study comparing the sensory attributes of mometasone furoate and fluticasone propionate nasal sprays by patients with allergic rhinitis.

Objective: Data on intranasal corticosteroids suggest that individual product attributes may influence patient preference for therapy in allergic rhinitis. The study objective was to compare product sensory attributes and their impact upon patient preference for scent-free mometasone furoate nasal spray (MFNS) versus fluticasone propionate nasal spray (FPNS) in patients with symptomatic allergic rhinitis.

Methods: In a double-blind, crossover study, 100 patients were randomized to MFNS microg followed by FPNS 200 microg, or vice versa. Patients rated the study drugs by completing an individual product sensory attributes questionnaire at the end of each period of drug administration. An overall sensory preference questionnaire was completed following crossover.

Results: A significantly greater number of patients preferred MFNS to FPNS (p < 0.05). MFNS was superior for a number of individual sensory attributes based on mean patient ratings: significantly fewer patients perceived scent/odor (immediately and 2 minutes after drug administration; p < 0.001), taste (immediately after drug administration; p = 0.002), and after-taste (2 minutes after drug administration; p = 0.007) with MFNS compared with FPNS. Similarly, product sensory attribute preference data demonstrated that twice the number of patients preferred MFNS to FPNS for scent/odor (p = 0.0005), immediate taste (p = 0.005), and after-taste (p = 0.005). Fifty-four percent of patients said they would choose a prescription for MFNS compared with 33% for FPNS (p = 0.03). In addition, 47% of patients would be more likely to comply (use daily as directed) with MFNS compared with 25% with FPNS (p = 0.03).

Conclusion: Several individual sensory attributes of MFNS were rated significantly superior to FPNS. Overall, based on the tested sensory attributes, patients preferred MFNS to FPNS therapy for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.