Clinical Research
Nonallergic Rhinitis and its Management
The constellation of symptoms of rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, and nasal irritation, called rhinitis, can be related to non-allergic or allergic rhinitis. Non-allergic rhinitis is currently of diagnosis of exclusion. We validated the use of nasal provocation with intranasal capsaicin and an optical rhinometer, a device allowing for a non-invasive means of measuring blood flow through the nasal cavity and providing a means of evaluating nasal congestion, for the diagnosis of non-allergic rhinitis. We are currently conducting a clinical trial investigating the clinical efficacy of intranasal capsaicin for the management of nonallergic irritant rhinitis.
Key Publications
- Shetty KR, Hasan S, Bankston C, Vance D, Islam E, Cruz G, Ashoori F, Allen DZ, Yao WC, Citardi MJ, Luong AU. Prevalence of Local IgE Elevation and Its Effect on Intranasal Capsaicin Therapy in the Nonallergic Rhinitis Population. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Nov;15(11):1300-1302.
- Luong AU, Yong M, Hwang PH, Lin BY, Gopi P, Mohan V, Ma Y, Johnson J, Yen DM, DeMera RS, Bleier BS. Acoustic resonance therapy is safe and effective for the treatment of nasal congestion in rhinitis: A randomized sham-controlled trial. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2024 May;14(5):919-927.
Updated Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis
Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a common and often debilitating condition caused by persistent inflammation of the sinus lining, leading to symptoms such as nasal drainage, facial pain or pressure, nasal blockage, and loss of smell. Standard treatment begins with medical therapies, including saline nasal irrigations and topical steroid sprays, with oral medications added when infection or nasal polyps are present. While many patients respond to these approaches, a significant subset remains refractory and requires surgical intervention followed by ongoing postoperative management. Despite optimized care, some patients continue to experience persistent symptoms, highlighting important gaps in our current understanding and treatment strategies. Our research focuses on identifying novel therapeutic approaches to improve outcomes for patients with CRS, while also evaluating the cost-effectiveness of existing and emerging treatments in an era of rising healthcare costs.
Key Publications
- Bell CM, Luong AU, Makary CA. Personalized Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis in the Context of Immune Deficiency. J Inflamm Res. 2026 Jan 8;19:546308.
- Xiao D, Citardi MJ, Yao WC, Luong AU. Cost Utility Analysis of Fluticasone Exhalation Delivery System Versus Budesonide Nasal Irrigation for Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2026 Feb 20.
- Vance D, Cho S, Luong AU, Ledford DK. Management of Chronic Rhinosinusitis with or Without Nasal Polyposis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2026 Feb;46(1):145-160.
- Xiao D, Talmadge J, Citardi MJ, Yao WC, Luong AU. Trends in Dupilumab Utilization for the Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2025 Apr;15(4):438-440.
