[Analysis of risk factors for deficits in the quality of life in allergic rhinitis patients].
To assess the possible negative aspects in the quality of life (QOL) of patients with allergic rhinitis based on the factors such as the symptoms and examination of the nasal cavity, we examined QOL deficits using the Japanese Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JRQLQ No1). Thirteen hundred seventy eight allergic rhinitis patients who visited clinics or hospitals between April and July 2003 were assessed for clinical symptoms, had the examination of their nasal cavity graded and answered QOL questionnaires. Gender, period of the disease, antigen, clinical symptoms and the results of the nasal cavity examination were evaluated and analyzed to reveal risk factors associated with negative QOL factors. These negative QOL factors tended to be more severe in women than in men, and more severe in pollen allergy than in house dust mite allergy. There was no association of the period of the disease with negative QOL factors. It was revealed that nasal discharge was the strongest risk factor for problems in usual daily activities, outdoor activities and social functioning in six QOL domains, and nasal congestion was the major factor associated with sleep problems, general physical problems and emotional function. Nasal congestion was also the strongest risk factor in the total score of the QOL questionnaire and the overall face scale of the patients. In the nasal cavity examination, the amount of aqueous secretion was the strongest risk factor for all items associated with negative QOL factors. According to the risk factors we identified, we can treat allergic rhinitis patients taking their QOL into consideration.
Ogino
Takeshi
T
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Asahikawa Medical College, Asahikawa.
Ishii
Hideyuki
H
Abe
Yusuke
Y
Imada
Masanobu
M
Hayashi
Tatsuya
T
Nonaka
Satoshi
S
Harabuchi
Yasuaki
Y
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000523:psychology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires