URD Scope and Impact

Upper respiratory diseases (URDs) affect approximately 115 million Americans.^1-3 Of these, estimates show 35% have allergic rhinitis, 35% have non-allergic rhinitis, and 30% have sinusitis.

URD Distribution—US^1-3

URD Impact

Economic studies illustrate that allergic rhinitis (AR) can have a significant financial impact due to healthcare dollars spent on complications (including sinusitis, otitis media, asthma), as well as to lost productivity. As explained in an overview by Schoenwetter et al,⁴ these expenses include:

• Between $5.9 billion and $7.3 billion in total annual direct costs (both medical and non-medical) for AR and AR with complications

• 3.7 million work and school days lost each year due to AR

Research shows a significant impact on quality of life (QOL) due to rhinitis:

• European data illustrate that QOL was lower for AR patients than for asthma patients^5,6

• Apart from disease severity, a patient’s perceived ability to control rhinitis can have a significant impact on his or her quality of life⁷

Sinusitis and other respiratory infections take a significant annual toll on healthcare resources and productivity:

• In the 2002 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the second most common diagnosis was acute upper respiratory infection⁸

• Those who seek treatment for acute and chronic sinusitis combined account for over 16 million patient visits per year^9,10

• People suffering from sinusitis miss an average of four days of work each year³