Evaluation of visual analog scales for the assessment of symptom severity in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.
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.
Senti
Gabriela
G
Unit for Experimental Immunotherapy, Department of Dermatology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. gabriela.senti@usz.ch
Vavricka
Bettina Mareike Prinz
BM
Graf
Nicole
N
Johansen
Pål
P
Wüthrich
Brunello
B
Kündig
Thomas M
TM
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
D000485:Allergens