IMPACT OF ANTIOXIDANT SUPPLEMENTATION ON QUALITY OF LIFE AND IGE LEVELS IN ALLERGIC RHINITIS: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND META-ANALYSIS...
Author(s)
M Shreeram, Ph. D.1, Amruta Mulay, MSc2, Pradnya C, MSc3.
1Yonnova Scientific Consultancy Pvt Ltd, Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India, 413709, Ahmed Nagar, India, 2Yonnova Scientific Consultancy Pvt Ltd, Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India, 413709, Pune, India, 3Yonnova Scientific Consultancy Pvt Ltd., Hinjewadi, Maan, Maharashtra, 411057, Pune, India.
1Yonnova Scientific Consultancy Pvt Ltd, Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India, 413709, Ahmed Nagar, India, 2Yonnova Scientific Consultancy Pvt Ltd, Shrirampur, Maharashtra, India, 413709, Pune, India, 3Yonnova Scientific Consultancy Pvt Ltd., Hinjewadi, Maan, Maharashtra, 411057, Pune, India.
OBJECTIVES: Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents a widespread inflammatory disorder affecting the upper respiratory tract. Given that antioxidant supplementation has demonstrated therapeutic value across diverse immune-mediated and atopic conditions, this systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to consolidate evidence from existing randomized controlled trials (RCT) and determine the clinical efficacy of antioxidants in managing AR.
METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was executed across MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Clinical-Trials.gov, and Scopus databases up to January 2026 to identify eligible RCT. Working independently, two investigators selected trials evaluating different antioxidant agents for AR that provided adequate quantitative data for pooling. The review team extracted relevant data, appraised methodological quality, determined risk of bias, and graded the certainties of evidence. Meta-analytic pooling statistically quantified the impact of these supplements on Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQLQ) dimensions, Rhinitis Total Symptom Scores (RTSS), alongside circulating total and allergen-specific IgE concentrations.
RESULTS: The initial screening yielded 68 records, which uniquely featured 8 double-blind RCT. These included trials exhibited substantial variation regarding the specific antioxidant interventions, patient cohorts, and clinical endpoints examined. Half of these studies (4/8) documented a statistically significant clinical advantage for the antioxidant arm over placebo in at least one measured parameter. In the pooled quantitative analysis, antioxidant administration was associated with a significant reduction in RQLQ scores relative to placebo [standardized mean difference (SMD) -1.22; p = 0.05] and a significant difference in total IgE levels [SMD 0.01; p = 0.04]. A non-significant trend toward lower antigen-specific IgE favored control cohorts over active supplement groups [SMD 0.18; p = 0.07].
CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional supplementation with antioxidants holds promise for alleviating symptom burdens and optimizing quality of life for individuals suffering from AR. Nevertheless, definitive clinical conclusions are restricted by pronounced inter-study heterogeneity and inconsistent outcome metrics. Robust, rigorously designed clinical trials remain essential to formulate standardized therapeutic guidelines.
METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was executed across MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Clinical-Trials.gov, and Scopus databases up to January 2026 to identify eligible RCT. Working independently, two investigators selected trials evaluating different antioxidant agents for AR that provided adequate quantitative data for pooling. The review team extracted relevant data, appraised methodological quality, determined risk of bias, and graded the certainties of evidence. Meta-analytic pooling statistically quantified the impact of these supplements on Rhinitis Quality of Life (RQLQ) dimensions, Rhinitis Total Symptom Scores (RTSS), alongside circulating total and allergen-specific IgE concentrations.
RESULTS: The initial screening yielded 68 records, which uniquely featured 8 double-blind RCT. These included trials exhibited substantial variation regarding the specific antioxidant interventions, patient cohorts, and clinical endpoints examined. Half of these studies (4/8) documented a statistically significant clinical advantage for the antioxidant arm over placebo in at least one measured parameter. In the pooled quantitative analysis, antioxidant administration was associated with a significant reduction in RQLQ scores relative to placebo [standardized mean difference (SMD) -1.22; p = 0.05] and a significant difference in total IgE levels [SMD 0.01; p = 0.04]. A non-significant trend toward lower antigen-specific IgE favored control cohorts over active supplement groups [SMD 0.18; p = 0.07].
CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional supplementation with antioxidants holds promise for alleviating symptom burdens and optimizing quality of life for individuals suffering from AR. Nevertheless, definitive clinical conclusions are restricted by pronounced inter-study heterogeneity and inconsistent outcome metrics. Robust, rigorously designed clinical trials remain essential to formulate standardized therapeutic guidelines.
Conference/Value in Health Info
2026-09, ISPOR Asia Pacific 2026, Bangkok, Thailand
Value in Health, Volume 55, Issue S1
Code
CO16
Topic
Clinical Outcomes
Disease
SDC: Respiratory-Related Disorders (Allergy, Asthma, Smoking, Other Respiratory)