Impact of allergic rhinitis and related airway
disorders
The
Journal of Respiratory Diseases, Vol. 17, No. 8 Supplement, August
1996
Summary
The effects of allergic rhinitis have significant impact on patients' quality
of life. In addition, it may predispose some patients to the development
or exacerbation of associated airway disorders, such as asthma, sinusitis,
otitis media with effusion, respiratory infections, and possibly
nasal polyposis. Appropriate and timely treatment of allergic rhinitis
may not only spare patients the detrimental effects of the disorder
and its physical sequelae, but may also lower the overall health
care costs.
Quality of Life
In the categories of social functioning, physical role limitations,
and emotional role limitations, the chronic rhinitis patient's
quality of life is significantly lower than that of the asthmatic
patient.
Co-morbid Conditions
-
Significant evidence exists indicating that allergic
rhinitis may predispose patients to chronic sinusitis,
asthma, otitis media with effusion, and nasal polyps.
-
Allergic rhinitis is a factor in approximately one-third
of all cases of chronic sinusitis and otitis media
with effusion.
Economic Impact
-
The cost of related upper respiratory diseases allocable
to allergic rhinitis is at least $7.2 billion in the United
States alone.
-
Appropriate and timely treatment of allergic rhinitis
may also lower the overall health care costs.
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