Background:
Health-related
quality of Life (HRQOL)
has been considered
an important
variable to be
managed in airway
diseases. Allergy
and asthma can
reduce HRQOL as a
result of profound
physical and
psychosocial
complications. Most
patients with asthma
also suffer from
rhinitis, which also
impairs quality of
life. However, the
impact of allergic
rhinitis on
asthmatic patients
has not been
investigated.
Objective:
Our objective was to
evaluate HRQOL in
patients with asthma
alone, allergic
rhinitis alone, or
both diseases.
Methods: We
compared HRQOL in
316 patients with
both diseases or
either asthma or
rhinitis using the
Short Form-36
questionnaire. Data
were also collected
on patients
sociodemographic
characteristics,
atopic state, body
mass index (BMI),
and education.
Results: A
total of 232
patients with
allergic rhinitis,
40 with asthma, and
44 with both
diseases were
enrolled. The mean
(SD) age was 32 (13)
years and 65% were
females. HRQL was
significantly lower
in patients with
asthma, with or
without rhinitis,
than in those with
allergic rhinitis
alone. Female sex,
older age, increased
BMI and less
educational status
were found to be the
major determinants
of impaired quality
of life in patients
with allergic
rhinitis or asthma.
Conclusions:
The impact of
rhinitis on asthma
seems to play a
minor role in HRQOL.
Key words:
Allergic rhinitis.
Asthma. Quality of
life.
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