title: Nasal allergies in the Asian-Pacific population: results from the Allergies in Asia-Pacific Survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Allergies in Asia-Pacific Survey describes the symptoms, impact, and treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR) across Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. The Allergies in Asia-Pacific Survey was undertaken to further clarify the prevalence of physician-diagnosed nasal allergies (NAs), impact on quality-of-life (QOL), existing treatment paradigms and gaps, and NA medications currently used in treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three thousand three hundred seventy-eight households were screened for individuals, ≥ 4 years old, with a physician diagnosis of AR or NA and either symptoms or treatment in the past 12 months. Standardized questionnaires were used to make comparisons across regions. A total of 1043 adults and 192 children were included in the survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine percent of participants were diagnosed with AR with two of three responding that their NAs were seasonal in nature. Nasal congestion was the most common and bothersome symptom of AR. Most participants reported that AR impacted their QOL with nearly one-half citing impairments in school/work performance/productivity. Sleep disturbances, secondary to AR, were also shown to be appreciable. Two-thirds of patients took medication for their AR. Less than one-quarter of survey respondents reported taking an intranasal corticosteroid and the satisfaction rate was similar to that of over-the-counter medications. The most common reasons cited for dissatisfaction were related to inadequate efficacy and bothersome side effects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AR appears to be extremely common across Asia-Pacific nations. Many individuals with AR suffer from symptoms that reduce QOL and treatment gaps exist with current therapies. Through identification of disease impact and highlighting treatment gaps, clinicians may better understand and treat AR, leading to improvements in overall patient satisfaction and QOL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Western Sydney, Campbelltown Hospital, Sydney, Australia. connie.katelaris@sswahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Constance H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Katelaris
authors.forename: Christopher K W
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Chae-Seo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Rhee
authors.forename: Sang Hag
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Wang De
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lim-Varona
authors.forename: Vo Thanh
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Quang
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Harvinder
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.forename: Jungsoo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: John M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Boyle
authors.forename: Hun Jong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Dhong
authors.forename: Prepageran
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Narayanan
authors.forename: Gil
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vicente
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Blaiss
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sacks
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011788:Quality of Life; D012221:Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014744:Vietnam / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones