title: Evaluation of visual analog scales for the assessment of symptom severity in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The severity of rhinoconjunctivitis is typically monitored by means of nasal provocation tests (NPTs), where the nasally applied allergens trigger symptoms that are recorded using a scoring system. However, NPTs are time-consuming and stressful for patients; therefore, recording of symptoms during natural allergen exposure on visual analog scales (VASs) is increasingly being used in clinical trials.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate (1) the correlation between VAS symptom recording by patients during natural allergen exposure and symptom scoring by the physician during the NPT and (2) the possibility of replacing the more laborious and distressing allergen provocation tests with the more patient-friendly VAS.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 119 patients with allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen were enrolled in the study between June 20, 2001, and January 31, 2002. Patients reported the severity of different seasonal symptoms on a VAS and underwent a NPT.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No significant correlations between VAS and NPT scores were found. However, all the correlation coefficients between the symptom scores from the NPT and the corresponding symptom scores from the VAS were much higher for the female than the male subgroup.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VAS does not correlate with the NPT and, therefore, cannot replace the NPT. However, the result may suggest it worthwhile to explore the role of sex in the perception of allergy symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Unit for Experimental Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. gabriela.senti@usz.ch
authors.forename: Gabriela
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Senti
authors.forename: Bettina Mareike Prinz
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Vavricka
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Graf
authors.forename: Pål
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Johansen
authors.forename: Brunello
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wüthrich
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Kündig
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D006109:Poaceae / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens