[ERAP, a pharmaco-epidemiologic survey on perennial allergic rhinitis in every day medical practice in France].
OBJECTIVE
In order to gain knowledge on the management of perennial allergic rhinitis by the practitioners in France, a survey (Enquête épidémiologique sur la rhinite allergique per-annuelle en pratique quotidienne--ERAP) was developed.


METHODS
In the year 2000, 1 346 doctors (including 689 general practitioners) enrolled 3 507 patients consulting for a fall/winter exacerbation of allergic rhinitis. Both doctors and patients filled out a specific questionnaire on the care networks, clinical characteristics, diagnostic modalities and treatment of allergic rhinitis, together with the patients'personal feelings.


RESULTS
The patients were bothered on average 6 days a week (5.8 +/- 1.8 days) and 3 months a year (9.2 +/- 7.7 consecutive weeks) by symptoms largely exceeding the ENT area, with frequent ocular symptoms (36.7%), cough (31.9%), sleep disturbances (35.2%) or dyspnea (9.4%). In 70.3% of the patients rhinitis affected their professional life and 90.9% their daily life. The nose was examined in 63.3% of patients and a search for asthma was conducted in 39.3%. In 45.3% subsequent skin prick tests were scheduled and in 53.5% specific IgE measurements and in 33.5% subsequent specialized consultation. Prescribed drugs were mainly oral antihistamines (75.3%) and local glucocorticosteroids (48.5%). Prescriptions were written for a mean duration of 8 weeks. 78.6% considered that the information that they had received was adequate and easy to understand, but 61.1% of patients would have liked to have received more advice. Furthermore, only 48.7% followed their doctor's prescription scrupulously, and 34.3% adapted the prescription.


CONCLUSIONS
Perennial allergic rhinitis indeed impairs quality of life and its management in France is now better understood.
Demoly
Pascal
P
Service des maladies respiratoires, Inserm U454-IFR3, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHU de Montpellier, (34). demoly@montp.inserm.fr
Allaert
François-André
FA
Lecasble
Marc
M
Klossek
Jean-Michel
JM
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006306:Health Surveys; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D014662:Vasoconstrictor Agents