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. 2012 Nov 30;7(1):49.
doi: 10.1186/2049-6958-7-49.

A survey of the burden of allergic rhinitis in Hungary from a specialist's perspective

Mária Szilasi  1 , Gabriella Gálffy, Károly Fónay, Zsuzsa Márk, Zoltán Rónai, Zsuzsanna Szalai, Magdolna E Szilasi, Marianna Budai, Veronika Müller, Attila Somfay, Ildikó Horváth, Lilla Tamási
Affiliations

A survey of the burden of allergic rhinitis in Hungary from a specialist's perspective

Mária Szilasi et al. Multidiscip Respir Med. .

Abstract

Background: The casual and severity distribution of allergic rhinitis (AR) in Hungary is unknown.The aim of this survey was to evaluate symptom perception, disease severity, concomitant asthma frequency and the impact of AR on everyday life activities in a cross-sectional, multicenter study in Hungary under the supervision of Hungarian Respiratory Society.

Methods: Data were recorded by 933 AR patients (65.93% women) and their treating specialists. The perceptions of patients regarding the symptoms (nasal, ocular and others) of AR and its severity, together with its impact on everyday life were assessed. Physicians recorded data regarding the diagnosis and severity of AR, and comorbidities.

Results: 52.5% of patients suffered from seasonal AR, 35.1% from perennial AR. A large proportion of patients had moderate to severe disease (MS-AR) (57.34%), persistent disease (98.0%) and concomitant asthma (53.32% in the mild, 57.52% in the MS-AR group). MS-AR was more frequent among women. Despite the treatment used, in MS-AR the proportions of patients reporting moderate to severe rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction, ocular itching/redness, watering, itchy throat and sneezing were as high as 52.0%, 54.0%, 33.8%, 26.5%, 44.0% and 31.2%, respectively. Overall, there was a poor agreement between disease severity reported by patients and specialists. The adherence to oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids was found to be between 50 and 65%; mostly depending on the dosage form.

Conclusions: AR remains a significant health problem in Hungary because of the burden of symptoms, high rate of concomitant asthma and the significant proportion of MS-AR affecting general well being.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Proportion of patients reporting sleep disturbances, everyday life limitations, concentration problems, altered work or school performance due to moderate to severe allergic rhinitis in Hungary.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Proportion of moderate to severe allergic rhinitis patients with various concomitant diseases in Hungary.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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