Allergic Rhinitis: Diagnosis and Management Revisited

Abstract

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the commonest allergic disease affecting approximately 400 million people worldwide. It is associated with a reduced quality of life, low productivity in the work place, and poor school performance. On the other hand, medical cost increases. Allergic rhinitis has a considerable effect on quality of life and can have significant consequences if left untreated. Many patients downplay rhinitis symptoms as an inconvenience rather than a disease. The majority of the patients start visiting their local physician, when the problem becomes chronic, especially when it is associated with complications. There is a huge economic burden associated with allergic rhinitis. It is the fifth costliest chronic disease in the United States with 75% of the costs coming from decreased productivity. Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is important because it can become a chronic condition, which might predispose patients to chronic sinusitis or chronic middle ear infection and hearing impairment. This review discussed the background of rhinitis and allergic rhinitis, the burden of disease, differentiating characteristics of allergic rhinitis from non-allergic rhinitis, diagnosis, complications and management.