Epidemiology of allergic rhinitis in allergy consultations in Spain: Alergológica-2005.
BACKGROUND
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is considered to be the most frequent allergic disorder.


OBJECTIVE
To present the data from the Alergológica-2005 on the characteristics of patients with AR.


METHODS
An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional epidemiologic study was performed on 4991 patients consulting for the first time in Allergology services in Spain.


RESULTS
Fifty-five percent of patients consulting Allergology services for the first time were diagnosed with AR, of whom 65% also had conjunctivitis and 37% asthma. Two out of every three subjects with AR consulted their primary care physician twice in the previous 4 months. One third was treated by another specialist in the preceding year and one of every five required treatment in emergency departments. AR affected the quality of life (SF-12), in some cases causing time off work and school. The most frequently involved allergens were pollens (51%), followed by dust mites (42%). Polysensitization was found in 31% of cases. Antihistamines and nasal topical corticoids were the most widely used drugs. In 38% of patients, treatment with specific immunotherapy was begun.


CONCLUSIONS
AR was the leading cause of consultations in Alergológica-2005. Rhinitis was frequently associated with other allergic disorders in 65% of patients with conjunctivitis and 37% with asthma. The illness led to a substantial use of healthcare resources and significantly affected the quality of life of the sufferers.
Navarro
A
A
Allergy Unit, Hospital El Tomillar, AH de Valme, Sevilla, Spain. anam.navarro.sspa@juntadeandalucia.es
Colás
C
C
Antón
E
E
Conde
J
J
Dávila
I
I
Dordal
M T
MT
Fernández-Parre
B
B
Ibáñez
M D
MD
Lluch-Bernal
M
M
Matheu
V
V
Montoro
J
J
Rondón
C
C
Sánchez
M C
MC
Valero
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology