The burden of coexistent allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis on health‑related quality of life

Aremu, Shuaib Kayode and Aluko, AbdulAkeem Adebayo and Ibrahim, Tayo (2018) The burden of coexistent allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis on health‑related quality of life. Port Harcourt Medical Journal, 12 (3). pp. 142-146. ISSN 0795-3038

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Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a symptom complex of consisting of nasal congestion, rhinorrhoea, sneezing and nasal itching arising from an IgE‑mediated allergic reaction and inflammation of the mucosal lining of the nose and contiguous mucosal membranes usually due to airborne allergen. AR may occur in isolation or may coexist with allergic conjunctivitis (AC). Aim: The aim of this study is to assess and evaluate the importance of health‑related quality of life (HR‑QoL) in patients suffering from concomitant AC with AR with different types of quality‑of‑life instruments. Methods: A sum of 220 patients who attended the outpatient department of ENT clinic were involved in this study. All patients undertook an ophthalmologic examination for coexistent AC. The rhino conjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) was used to evaluate the quality of life in all patients. Results: The mean age of the 220 patients (116 females and 104 males) involved in the study was 26.8 years. The male‑to‑female ratio was 1:1.1. Of the 220 patients, 55% studied up to secondary school graduation and 18% dwelt in the rural area. In the assessment of the statistics obtained from the AR and conjunctivitis symptom scoring, the mean total complaint score was found to be 13.2 ± 4.0. Conclusion: AR can vary based on a region’s flora, weather and socioeconomic status. AR could lead to severe impairment in HR‑QoL.

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