Rhinitis, rhinosinusitis and quality of life in children

Quality of life (QoL) or, rather, health-related QoL, is currently regarded as a crucial aspect of the general well-being of patients and, in consequence, of the effects of a disease and its treatment. This is particularly true for respiratory allergy (asthma and rhinitis), which are chronic diseases and also for sinusitis (rhinosinusitis). A number of questionnaires (instruments), either generic or specific, have been developed and validated to assess the QoL in adults and children, for asthma and rhinitis, whereas there are few specific instruments for chronic rhinosinusitis. The literature provides strong evidence of the effects of allergic rhinitis, asthma and their treatments on QoL in paediatric patients, as well as in adults, whereas the number of experimental data on rhinosinusitis is limited, especially in children. Clinical trials evidenced some controversial points, mainly the weak correlation existing between QoL and traditional objective parameters. It has become clear that the QoL questionnaires measure the aspects of the disease that partially differ from the routinely evaluated parameters and that QoL should integrate, not replace, the objective measurements.