The impact of allergic rhinitis on work productivity

Patients with allergic rhinitis experience a multitude of symptoms that usually compromise some aspect of lifestyle. However, few data are available that specifically address the impact of allergic rhinitis on work productivity.

A questionnaire was developed and mailed to 2,065 patients enrolled in a 500,000-member managed care organisation. Patients were identified by diagnostic codes for allergic rhinitis as determined by a retrospective examination of medical and prescription claims records from January 1 2000 to December 31 2000. Patients were divided into three different care groups according to whether they were managed by family physicians, by allergists, or were self-managed.

Chi-square and analysis of variance tests revealed significant differences among the three care groups (p<0.05) for years with allergies, symptoms, family history, testing, immunotherapy, test value, and prescribed antihistamine use. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sleep, health, certain allergy symptoms and prescribed antihistamines were significantly related to work productivity.

The results of this study revealed that the ability of individuals with allergic rhinitis to engage in productive work is influenced by sleep, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), specific symptoms, and prescribed antihistamine use.