Role of allergy in sleep-disordered breathing

Sleep-related symptoms are extremely common in patients with allergic rhinitis. Sleep impairment is likely a major contributor to the overall disease morbidity, direct and indirect health care costs, and the loss of work productivity associated with allergic rhinitis. The association between allergic rhinitis and sleep, and the subsequent impact on disease-specific and general health quality of life measures, is well documented in large epidemiologic studies as well as controlled clinical trials. This article focuses on sleep disruption caused by allergic rhinitis, and the therapeutic and surgical options available to tackle the problem.