Background:
Second-generation
oral antihistamines
(AH) and intranasal
corticosteroids
(ICS) are the most
widely used drugs
for allergic
rhinitis (AR).
Objective: To
obtain information
on the preferences
for and applications
of these drugs under
conditions of
routine clinical
practice.
Methods: We
performed a
multicenter
multidisciplinary
observational study.
Participating
physicians completed
a questionnaire with
information on
preferences for and
application of drugs
for AR, patient
characteristics, and
physician/patient
satisfaction with
the treatment
provided (visual
analog scale).
Results: A
total of 1008
physicians
participated in the
study (primary care
physicians, 53%;
ear, nose, and
throat specialists,
28%; allergologists,
19%). Treatment
preferences in AR
were AH combined
with ICS (7.68), AH
(7.25), and ICS
(6.94). AH and ICS
were used
continuously by 58%
and 71% of patients,
respectively.
Physicians reported
having a good
knowledge of the
Allergic Rhinitis
and its Impact on
Asthma guidelines
(93%), and 90%
claimed to follow
the guidelines. A
total of 4040
patients were
recruited (52%
females, mean [SD]
age 34 [14] years).
The findings for AR
were as follows:
mean (SD)
duration, 9 (8)
years; persistent
AR, 52%; mild AR,
72%; moderate AR,
7%; and severe AR,
1%. Patients
considered the
disorder to be well
controlled/almost
controlled (79%). As
for treatment, 77%
followed the regimen
recommended by the
physician. Oral
treatment (41%) and
intranasal treatment
(22%) were
preferred, while 35%
showed no preference
for any given
administration
route. The
treatments
prescribed were AH
combined with ICS
(66%), AH (20%), ICS
(11%), other
antihistamines (4%),
and other drugs
(6%). Combination
treatment was the
preferred therapy,
regardless of the
type of rhinitis.
Conclusions:
Physicians prefer
and more often use
combination
treatment with oral
AH and ICS,
regardless of the
frequency and
intensity of AR.
Key words:
Oral antihistamines.
Intranasal
corticosteroids.
Allergic rhinitis.
Treatment
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