Tagesschläfrigkeit bei saisonaler allergischer Rhinitis

Abstract

Apart from classical symptomes of allergy, seasonal allergic rhinitis is known to impair daytime performance and to increase daytime fatigue and sleepiness. These effects have not been evaluated systematically up to know.Aim of this study was to assess the impact of seasonal allergic rhinitis on daytime sleepiness measured with a validated questionnaire (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS). Twenty-five patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were compared to 25 healthy volunteers in a prospective controlled clinical trial. Daytime sleepiness and symptoms of allergic rhinitis (nasal obstruction and nasal itching. sneezing, conjunctivitis, and itching of the palate) were assessed with the ESS and a questionnaire before and during the pollen season 2002 and the severity of the disease was evaluated. Daytime sleepiness increased in the allergy group during the season (extrascasonal score: 6.8 ′ 2.7, intraseasonal score: 8.2 ′ 3.4) and remained unchanged in the controll group (extrascasonal score: 5.4 ′ 2.4, intraseasonal score: 5.3 ′ 2.4), leading to statistically significant between group differences (p < 0.05). The increase in daytime sleepiness was depending on the severity of the disease and was more pronounced in those patients with moderate-to-severe allergic rhinitis. Seasonal allergic rhinitis leads to an increased daytime sleepiness during the pollen season. Stasticially significant differences in daytime sleepiness can be assessed when comparing patients with healthy controls. The changes in daytime sleepiness were depending on the severity of the disease.