We found a match
Your institution may have rights to this item. Sign in to continue.
- Title
Specialist-based treatment reduces the severity of allergic rhinitis.
- Authors
Mullol, J.; Bartra, J.; Cuvillo, A.; Izquierdo, I.; Muñoz‐Cano, R.; Valero, A.
- Abstract
Background Although the treatment of allergic rhinitis ( AR) is now well established, its impact on severity has not yet been evaluated. Objective The aim was to analyse specialist-based treatment on AR severity, nasal symptoms and quality of life. Methods A longitudinal observational, prospective, multi-centre study with 4 weeks of follow-up was carried out by 141 allergologists and ENT specialists in Spain. Selection criteria were adult patients with AR, clinically diagnosed at least 2 years before, with a total nasal symptom score ( TNSS) ≥5, not receiving either antihistamines within the previous week or nasal corticosteroids during the 2 previous weeks. Disease severity using both original Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (o- ARIA) and modified (m- ARIA) classifications, nasal symptoms, and Quality of Life ( ESPRINT-15), were measured at baseline and after 4 weeks of treatment. Results Among the recruited AR patients ( n = 707, 58% women), 39.3% were intermittent and 60.7% persistent, 40.2% had asthma and 61.4% conjunctivitis. Most patients were treated with second generation antihistamines in monotherapy (63.2%) or in combination with intranasal corticosteroids (31.5%). While using o- ARIA, 96.9% of patients had 'moderate/severe' AR, the m- ARIA discriminated between 'moderate' (55.4%) and severe (41.5%) AR, at baseline. After 4 weeks of treatment, improvement was found on disease severity ( P < 0.0001), TNSS (8.2 ± 1.8 vs. 3.5 ± 2.3, P < 0.0001) and Quality of Life ( ESPRINT-15 global score: 3.0 ± 1.2 vs. 1.1 ± 1.0, P < 0.0001). Conclusions Specialist-based treatment reduces AR severity, evaluated using the m- ARIA classification for the first time, in addition to the improvement of nasal symptoms and quality of life. Clinical relevance Specialist-based treatment improves AR severity, in addition to nasal symptoms and quality of life. However, no matter the treatment option some AR patients remain severe and need further follow-up.
- Subjects
SEVERITY of illness index; HAY fever treatment; NASAL manifestations of general diseases; QUALITY of life; ANTIHISTAMINES; ADRENOCORTICAL hormones
- Publication
Clinical & Experimental Allergy, 2013, Vol 43, Issue 7, p723
- ISSN
0954-7894
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/cea.12081