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

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

doi:10.4081/mrm.2012.636

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

Authors

Mária Szilasi Department of Pulmonology, University of Debrecen Medical and Health Science Center, Nagyerdeikrt. 98, Debrecen H-4032
Gabriella Gálffy Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Diósárok 1/c, H-1125 Budapest
Károly Fónay Elisabeth Teaching Hospital, Győriút 15, H-9400 Sopron
Zsuzsa Márk Institute for Respiratory Medicine, Munkácsy Mihály u.70, H-2045 Törökbálint
Zoltán Rónai Golden Chalice Health Center, Citrom u. 10, H-7621 Pécs
Zsuzsanna Szalai KarolinaHospitalMosonmagyaróvár, Pulmonology and Allergology Department, RégiVámháztér 2-4, H-9200 Mosonmagyaróvár
Magdolna E. Szilasi Department of Pulmonology, University Clinic Salzburg, Müllner Hauptstraße 48, A-5020 Salzburg
Marianna Budai Department of Pharmaceutics, Semmelweis University, Hőgyes E. u. 7H-1092 Budapest
Veronika Müller Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Diósárok 1/c, H-1125 Budapest
Attila Somfay Department of Pulmonology, University of Szeged, Albert Szent-Györgyi Clinical Center, Alkotmány u. 36, H-6772 Deszk
Ildikó Horváth Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Diósárok 1/c, H-1125 Budapest
Lilla Tamási Department of Pulmonology, Semmelweis University, Diósárok 1/c, H-1125 Budapest

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4081/mrm.2012.636

Keywords:

Allergic rhinitis, Cross-sectional survey, Impact on quality of life, Symptom severity

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.