ABSTRACT
Allergic Rhinitis (AR) is a common global health problem with approximately one quarter
of the world population affected. The Quality of Life (QOL) of sufferers with AR is
significantly affected. The aim of this study was to evaluate the QOL of adults with AR. This
study was designed for adults with AR above 18 years old. The study was conducted using a
valid Rhinitis Quality of Life Questionnaires (RQLQ) which was completed for each patient
during clinic visit and analyzed by applying statistical methods. One-hundred and ten AR
patients participated in this study. Mean age of these patients was 32 years old and 62% were
female.
The correlation between severity of AR and QOL impairment was significant.
Frequencies of mild persistent, moderate-severe persistent, mild intermittent and moderatesevere
intermittent types of AR were 18%, 34.5%, 9% and 38%, respectively. Completed
RQLQ indicated that about 55% of the cases were suffering from severe disturbances in
their QOL. Furthermore, congestion (88%) was the most common symptom. The
correlation between congestion and QOL reduction was significant. The correlation between
congestion and sleep impairment was significant. AR was more common in young as well as
female patients and their QOL was affected more than the others. The results showed a
good relevancy between severity of symptoms and QOL scores.
Consisting with ARIA classification, it was found that reduction in the quality of life is
higher in patients with moderate-severe intermittent and persistent asthma. Nasal congestion
was a bothersome and prevalent symptom in AR that was responsible for sleep problems.
Therefore, nasal congestion was associated with sleep-disordered breathing, nocturnal sleep
impairment, day time fatigue and somnolence which finally lead to QOL impairment.