Date of Award
2019
Degree Type
Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review
Degree Name
Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Department Chair
Laura Levy, DHSc, PA-C
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether honey used as adjunctive therapy is effective in alleviating nasal allergy symptoms.
STUDY DESIGN: This is a systematic review of three randomized controlled trials published between 2010-2013, all in the English language.
DATA SOURCES: Three randomized controlled trials, which studied the effects of honey used as adjunctive therapy for the relief of nasal allergy symptoms, these were obtained using PubMed.
OUTCOMES MEASURED: The outcome of each study was a patient reported decrease in the number of days and the severity of nasal allergy symptoms including: sneezing, itching, nasal blockage, and rhinorrhea. These outcomes were measured via daily diary entries, questionnaires regarding symptom severity and need for medication, Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) questionnaire, and a 7-point visual analog symptom severity scale.
RESULTS: All three RCTs determined that nasal allergy symptoms were decreased a statistically significant amount, as defined by a p-value <0.05, with the addition of honey in subject’s daily medication regimen. This was compared to control, which consisted of patients taking only their normal daily medication and no honey products or a visually and taste matched placebo.
CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review have demonstrated that honey is effective in alleviating nasal allergy symptoms in numerous mediums including nasal spray as well as oral intake when produced in the geographic area in which the patient population resides. Whilst positive and promising results were obtained from these studies, additional research with larger patient populations, standardized honey product, and increased time frame of study is required to ascertain how beneficial honey truly is and if these benefits last.
Recommended Citation
Ditzel, Arielle N., "Is Honey, as Adjunctive Therapy, Effective in Alleviating Nasal Allergy Symptoms?" (2019). PCOM Physician Assistant Studies Student Scholarship. 465.
https://digitalcommons.pcom.edu/pa_systematic_reviews/465