Abstract
Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) impairs quality of life (QoL), sleep and work. The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) classification is widely used, but the impact of the different symptoms on QoL is not clear. Objective: To describe characteristics of patients consulting in primary care for AR and to study the impact of AR symptoms and the ARIA classes on QoL. Methods: A multicenter prospective observational cross-sectional study assessed the visual analogue scale (VAS) in the management of AR in 990 patients consulting general practitioners for AR. Patients were classified according to the four classes of ARIA. VAS, Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) and total symptom score (TSS) for nasal and non-nasal symptoms were evaluated. VAS and TSS measures were compared with RQLQ. Results: Mild intermittent rhinitis was diagnosed in 20% of patients, mild persistent rhinitis in 17%, moderate/severe intermittent rhinitis in 15% and moderate/severe persistent rhinitis in 48%. The presence of treatments did not affect VAS levels. Both severity and duration of rhinitis had an impact on QoL and VAS levels. Ocular symptoms (OR: 2.78, 95% CI: 1.965–3.939) including eyelid edema (OR: 2.07, 95% CI: 1.274–3.360) and asthenia (OR: 2.73, 95% CI: 1.922–3.877) had more impact on RQLQ than nasal obstruction (OR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.078–2.405) and nasal pruritus (OR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.028–2.042). Sneezing and rhinorrhea did not impact RQLQ. Conclusions: This study confirmed that ocular symptoms and, to a lesser degree, nasal obstruction and pruritus have a significant impact on QoL.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.