One of the largest surveys of its kind, "Allergies in America: A Landmark Survey of Nasal Allergy Sufferers," shows an overwhelming trend linking allergic rhinitis symptoms to quality of life and occupational consequences, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Year-Around Symptoms
Most nasal allergy sufferers -- 56 percent -- have symptoms all year-around and it affects not only how they feel, but their job performance.
According to the survey, at their peak, symptoms leave allergic rhinitis patients feeling tired (80 percent), miserable (65 percent) and irritable (62 percent). Most patients (52 percent) say symptoms hurt them on the job -- decreasing their job performance, interfering with work, and causing them to miss work.
The survey of more than 2,500 nasal-allergy patients and 400 health care providers, also revealed a lack of communication between doctors and patients.
Behavioral and Psychosocial Impact
"Allergic rhinitis is a serious problem in the United States. The results are eye-opening and should encourage doctors and patients to change the way they think about and treat allergic rhinitis," Michael Blaiss, M.D., past-president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI), said in a news release issued by the ACAAI.
"This data reveals the need for further investigation into the behavioral and psychosocial impact of allergy symptoms on public health," said Jeremy J. Nobel, M.D., M.P.H. in the news release.
According to the allergists surveyed, 59 percent of their patients have missed work due to their allergic rhinitis symptoms and they believe that their patients work productivity is at 60 percent when symptoms are at their worst.
Not Following Doctors' Advice
According to an American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology news release, other survey highlights include:
- Only 41 percent of patients who have seen a doctor follow their health care providers' instructions on the management and treatment of allergic rhinitis all of the time, while 45 percent say they follow advice most of the time.
- 70 percent of allergists, 67 percent of otolaryngologists, 57 percent of primary care physicians and 39 percent of nurse practitioners/physician assistants believe their patients follow their advice all or most of the time.
- 100 percent of allergists, 94 percent of ENTs, 92 percent of nurse practitioners/physician assistants and 88 percent of primary care physicians believe that medical treatment does affect patient's quality of life.
- Health care providers overestimate the percentage of patients very satisfied with their management of allergic rhinitis.
- An overwhelming majority of patients (89 percent) and health care providers (95-100 percent) agree there is a need for better education of people with allergic rhinitis about their conditions and treatments.
Troubling Signals
"The disparity between patients and physicians in perception of successful disease management is just one of the troubling signals that lack of communication that could be dangerous -- especially when it comes to addressing how allergies affect patients' everyday lives," according to Dr. Blaiss.
