Table 2.

Studies on topical medication for the treatment of sleep disorders.

Study	Study design	Patients	Nasal pathology	Intervention	Results
Kiely et al., 2004 [40]	Double-blinded, controlled, randomized	10 snorers (mean AHI: 3), 13 OSAS (mean AHI: 26.5)	Allergic rhinitis without septal deviation	Fluticasone 100 mcg BD for four weeks versus placebo	Reduction in AHI and subjective nasal resistance. No difference in sleep architecture, snoring, or O2 saturation.
McLean et al., 2005 [44]	Cross-sectional, blinded	10 moderate to severe OSAS	Chronic nasal obstruction	Topical oxymetazoline (0.2 mg BD) and external nasal dilator versus placebo	Reduction in AHI, improved sleep architecture, and reduced oral breathing. No alterations in sleepiness.
Kerr et al., 1992 [43]	Cross-sectional, blinded	10 moderate to severe OSAS	Chronic nasal obstruction	Topical oxymetazoline and nasal dilator versus placebo	Mild improvement in arousal index. No alterations in AHI, O2 saturation, or sleepiness.

AHI: apnea-hypopnea index; OSAS: obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.