Allergic conjunctivitis: a national cross-sectional study of clinical characteristics and quality of life.
OBJECTIVE
Ocular allergy is one of the most common ocular problems in clinical practice and, although easily identified and frequently a mild to moderate condition, it has relevant direct and indirect costs. To characterize clinical and demographic aspects of allergic conjunctivitis in Portugal, using a structured questionnaire. As a secondary outcome, patient's initial therapeutic and health care options, self-perception of health, and work/school absenteeism were also evaluated.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study, in 16 ophthalmology departments of central or regional hospitals, in patients diagnosed with allergic conjunctivitis during the spring of 2006.


RESULTS
A total of 220 patients were enrolled (mean age of 31.4+/-18.5 years). A quarter of these patients had >5 episodes of ocular allergy in the past year, 59.3% all year-round episodes, and most presented associated comorbidities (allergic rhinitis 45.9%, asthma 15.5%). They had significant impairment of their overall quality of life during an acute episode (45.6% > or =6 in a 10-point severity scale). Only 19.4% had an appointment with an ophthalmologist as a first action and most (56.1%) started with self treatment measures. Only 37.2% had a previous allergy diagnostic evaluation.


CONCLUSIONS
In this cross-sectional study of allergic conjunctivitis patients seen in ophthalmology departments, we found a significant impairment of self-rated health status during an ocular allergy episode. Moreover, most patients had year-round episodes and started ocular allergy management with self treatment measures.
Palmares
Jorge
J
Ophthalmology Department, Hospital S. João, Porto, Portugal. jalmares@netcabo.pt
Delgado
Luis
L
Cidade
Manuela
M
Quadrado
Maria J
MJ
Filipe
Helena P
HP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult