Ocular and nasal allergy symptom burden in America: The Allergies, Immunotherapy, and RhinoconjunctivitiS (AIRS) surveys

Abstract

Previous nationwide surveys of allergies in the United States have focused on nasal symptoms, but ocular symptoms are also relevant. This study determines the effects of ocular and nasal allergies on patients' lives. Telephone surveys of randomly selected U.S. households (the patient survey) and health care providers (provider survey) were conducted in the United States in 2012. Study participants were 2765 people ≥5 years of age who had ever been diagnosed with nasal or ocular allergies and 500 health care providers in seven specialties. Respondents to the patient survey reported a bimodal seasonal distribution of allergy symptoms, with peaks in March to May and September. Nasal congestion was the most common of the symptoms rated as "extremely bothersome" (39% of respondents), followed by red, itchy eyes (34%; p = 0.84 for difference in extreme bothersomeness of nasal and ocular symptoms). Twenty-nine percent of respondents reported that their or their child's daily life was impacted "a lot" when allergy symptoms were at their worst. Workers rated their mean productivity at 29% lower when allergy symptoms were at their worst (p < 0.001 compared with no symptoms). Providers reported that itchy eyes was the symptom causing most patients to seek medical treatment by pediatricians (73%), ophthalmologist/optometrists (72%), and nurse practitioners or physician assistants (62%), whereas nasal congestion was the symptom causing most patients to seek treatment from otolaryngologists (85%), allergist/immunologists (79%), and family medicine practitioners (64%). Ocular and nasal allergy symptoms substantially affected patients' lives and were comparable in their impact.

Triamcinolone Acetonide versus Fluticasone Propionate in the Treatment of Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized, Parallel-Group Trial

“…In addition, no difference was observed between the two drugs regarding safety and tolerability. Considering that the most common complaint of patients with AR is nasal congestion, rated as “extremely bothersome” [8, 19], a validated efficacy assessment for such drugs is the rTNSS outcome as evaluated in this trial [6]. Both sprays decreased rTNSS values from baseline to the end of study treatment with a mean difference of 0.2 (95% CI –0.89 to 0.54) between the two treatment groups, with the upper CI limit being less than the stated non-inferiority margin of 0.8, confirming that triamcinolone acetonide is non-inferior to fluticasone propionate with respect to symptom control.…”

Role of Antioxidants on the Clinical Outcome of Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis

“…1 AR is a common disorder that affects people of all ages and is associated with significant impairments in quality of life, sleep, and work performance. 2,3 AR has been classified as seasonal and perennial; the former occurs seasonally due to outdoor allergens, such as mold spores and pollens of trees, grasses, and weeds during cross-pollination through wind; and the latter is associated with indoor allergens, viz., cockroaches, dust-mite fecal particles, animal dander, and occupational exposure throughout the year. 4 However, these definitions are a poor reflection of real life, 5 with some pollens occurring perennially and some symptoms of perennial allergies not being present continuously.…”

Effects of local nasal immunotherapy in allergic airway inflammation: Using urea denaturedDermatophagoides pteronyssinus

“…1 Both diseases are treated with antihistamines, leukotriene receptor antagonists, and glucocorticoids. However, these medications are used only to relieve symptoms and suppress inflammation.…”