The Effect of Fluticasone Nasal Spray on Patients with Chronic Rhinitis and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

Background: Although upper and lower respiratory tract diseases coexist, studies discussing the relationship between chronic rhinitis (CR) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are limited. Fluticasone nasal sprays are common treatment options for patients with rhinitis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of fluticasone nasal spray on patients with both CR and COPD. Methods: A retrospective review was performed using data from former smokers with CR and COPD at China Medical University Hospital (CMUH). Based on their medication history, patients were allocated into Group A, who had received treatment with fluticasone nasal spray, and Group B, who had never received this treatment. Pulmonary function test results, including forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), were collected for both groups before treatment and one year after treatment. Statistical analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of fluticasone nasal spray treatment on pulmonary function. Results: A total of 123 former smokers were included, with 62 patients in Group A and 61 patients in Group B. At baseline, there was no significant difference in age, sex, and pulmonary function between the two groups. After one year of treatment, Group A showed an upward trend in pulmonary function, with the FEV1 increasing from 1.613 ± 0.554 to 1.708 ± 0.675 (p < 0.05) and the FVC increasing from 2.540 ± 0.694 to 2.670 ± 0.839 (p < 0.05). On the other hand, Group B exhibited a downward trend in pulmonary function after one year, with the FEV1 decreasing from 1.609 ± 0.554 to 1.544 ± 0.517 (p < 0.05) and the FVC decreasing from 2.586 ± 0.665 to 2.495 ± 0.679 (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This retrospective study suggests that the combined use of fluticasone nasal spray may be associated with improved pulmonary function in former smokers with both CR and COPD. This finding supports the concept of "united airway disease".