title: Predictors of quality of life improvement in allergic rhinitis patients after sublingual immunotherapy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has been described as a significant intervention in the treatment of allergic rhinitis (AR). However, factors that may predict treatment outcomes with respect to quality of life (QoL) results and mainly the role of olfactory function are still being underestimated. In this study, we investigated determinants that best predict treatment outcomes for QoL, exploring mainly the role of olfaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred forty-five patients following SLIT, 45 placebo-controls, and 48 healthy subjects were studied. Olfactory function was objectively evaluated using "Sniffin' Sticks" test pre- and post-cessation of SLIT. Three categories of validated QoL questionnaires were filled out by all subjects: questionnaire specific for olfaction (Questionnaire of Olfactory Deficits), questionnaires for assessing psychology (Beck Depression Inventory, Zung Depression Scale, State & Trait Anxiety Inventory), general Short Form-36 health survey.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Statistically significant improvement of olfactory function by 11.1% and of all QoL questionnaires results (all P<.001) was observed on final evaluation. Anosmia, asthma history, and the severity of symptoms-expressed by the Total Symptoms Score-were proven independent determinants of clinically significant improvement in patients' QoL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Several factors were found that may predict QoL outcomes in AR patients following SLIT.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece mkatotom@med.duth.gr.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katotomichelakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riga
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tripsianis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Balatsouras
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kourousis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Gerasimos
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Danielides
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Städtisches Klinikum Karlsruhe, Karlsruhe, Germany.
authors.forename: Evangelos
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Giotakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Vassilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Danielides
mesh_terms: D000286:Administration, Sublingual; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D065631:Rhinitis, Allergic / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D063729:Sublingual Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens
keywords: allergic rhinitis; anosmia; asthma; immunotherapy; quality of life; sniffin’ sticks