Background: The impact of specific allergic rhinitis symptoms on patient quality of life (QOL) is currently unknown.
Objective: In this study, we sought to determine the association between nasal and extranasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis with general health-related QOL.
Methods: A total of 150 participants with ages > 18 years and persistent allergic rhinitis were prospectively recruited for this cross-sectional study. General health-related QOL was measured by using the visual analog scale (VAS) from the five-dimension EuroQol QOL survey (EQ-5D). The severity of nasal and extranasal symptoms was measured by using the 22-item Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22). The severity of nasal obstruction was measured by using the Nasal Obstruction Severity Evaluation (NOSE) scale. Each participant also completed a Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT).
Results: The total SNOT-22 score was significantly correlated with RCAT (r = -0.68 [95% confidence interval {CI}, -0.75 to -0.58]; p < 0.001) and EQ-5D VAS (r = -0.44 [95% CI, -0.56 to -0.30]; p < 0.001). Of the 22 symptoms assessed on the SNOT-22, sleep-related symptoms, and otologic symptoms were associated with the greatest decrease in general health-related QOL. Nasal symptoms were least associated with general health-related QOL. The symptom of nasal obstruction was not at all associated with general health-related QOL (p = 0.267). We confirmed this finding by showing no significant correlation between the NOSE score and EQ-5D VAS (r = -0.05 [95% CI, -0.21 to 0.12]; p = 0.582).
Conclusion: Sleep and otologic symptoms were associated with the greatest negative impact on QOL in adults with persistent allergic rhinitis and should be routinely assessed in their clinical evaluation.