title: [Allergic rhinitis--an epidemiological, economical and social problem of the XXI century].
abstract: Exposure of nasal mucosa to various allergic and/or non-allergic stimuli might result in rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis affects 10-25% of population making it the most prevalent allergic disorder. Seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis affect up to 30% and 10% of pediatric population, respectively. Prevalence of allergic rhinitis varies between studies: in Poland, Breborowicz et al. reported allergic rhinitis in 16.7% of children aged 6-7, whereas Emeryk et al. observed perennial allergic rhinitis in 3.6% and seasonal allergic rhinitis in 6.2% of 8-15 year olds. Allergic rhinitis similarly to other diseases results in direct, indirect and hidden costs. In the USA (2002) direct costs were estimated at $4.195 billions and indirect at $665 millions (total of $4.863 billions). Allergic rhinitis co-exists with multiple respiratory conditions, significantly increasing treatment costs incurred by patients' and places additional burden on public finances. It also has a detrimental effect on patients' and their families' quality of life. Allergic rhinitis--although non-life threatening--significantly worsens quality of daily life and as such should be perceived as a serious medical condition not only by patients but also by medical professionals who are in position to diagnose it and implement appropriate therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Samodzielna Pracownia Diagnostyki Oddechowej i Bronchoskopii SPDSK w Białymstoku Kierownik.
authors.forename: Ryszard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rutkowski
authors.forename: Bozena
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kosztyła-Hojna
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rutkowska
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents / Q000191:economics; D002648:Child; D017281:Cost of Illness; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000592:standards*; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012940:Social Problems / Q000191:economics; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D018926:Anti-Allergic Agents