Important aspects in management of allergic rhinitis: compliance, cost, and quality of life

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis is a highly prevalent, chronic condition. Physicians trained in the care of patients with allergic rhinitis focus on the main management points, which include environmental control, appropriate pharmacologic treatment, and allergen immunotherapy. There are other important aspects in caring for patients with allergic rhinitis that are equally important in achieving the best outcomes for sufferers of allergic rhinitis. Compliance is essential in getting optimal medical management. Issues such as failure to take and improper use of medications as prescribed can lead to dissatisfaction in controlling symptoms. Cost issues must be addressed in management. This condition extracts a high indirect cost due to work absenteeism and school absence. Cost-effective management is fundamental in the proper care of allergic rhinitis. Last, quality of life issues should be considered in the care of the patient with allergic rhinitis. In allergy-specific questionnaires, subjects with allergic rhinitis consistently report lower quality of life than nonallergic controls. Untreated patients are embarrassed and frustrated by their allergy symptoms. Atopic individuals consistently exhibit significant declines in cognitive processing, psychomotor speed, verbal learning, and memory during allergy season. Physicians should consider compliance, cost, and quality of life issues in each and every patient with allergic rhinitis.