title: Prevalence of uncontrolled allergic rhinitis in Wuhan, China: a prospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a highly prevalent disease that affects the quality of life, especially in the "severe chronic upper airway disease" (SCUAD) group of patients who still have severe symptoms after adequate treatment. This study investigated the prevalence of uncontrolled AR and SCUAD consulting in the Allergy Department of Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, China.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective cohort study, all patients consulting for AR were prospectively assessed using visual analog scale (VAS) and Allergic Rhinitis Control Test (ARCT) and put on standardized treatment based on the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines. After 15 days, they were reevaluated by a telephone interview using a numerical scale (NS) and ARCT. A score of ARCT of <20 defined uncontrolled AR and a score of NS of ≥5 at day 15 defined SCUAD patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 252 patients were included. Moderate/severe AR (VAS ≥ 5) was diagnosed in 82.9% of the patients which had an impact on sleep (86.9%), work life (84.9%), social activities (81%), and physical activities (90.1%). Patients with uncontrolled AR (27.7%) at day 15 more frequently presented a higher weight (p = 0.042), history of ear, nose, and throat (ENT) infection or antibiotics intake for respiratory infection in the last 12 months (62.3% versus 45.6%; p = 0.018), smoking (15.9% versus 6.7%; p = 0.024), and smell disturbance (26.1% versus 11.7%; p = 0.005). Patients with SCUAD (24.5%) more frequently presented a history of ENT infection or antibiotics intake for respiratory infection in the last 12 months (63.9% versus 45.7%; p = 0.014) and smell disturbance (27.9% versus 11.7%; p = 0.003), and less commonly had atopic dermatitis (13.1% versus 28.2%; p = 0.017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Uncontrolled AR and SCUAD patients are numerous. VAS and ARCT are simple and quantitative methods and self-completion questionnaires that can be used for a global evaluation of the severity and control of AR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Allergy, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Youna
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Rongfei
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Guanghui
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wenjing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Daurès
authors.forename: Anca Mirela
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Chiriac
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Demoly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D064232:Visual Analog Scale