Allergic Rhinitis Control Test questionnaire-driven stepwise strategy to improve allergic rhinitis control: a...

Area of Science:

• Clinical immunology
• Pharmacology
• Otorhinolaryngology

Background:

• The Allergic Rhinitis Control Test (ARCT) is validated for assessing allergic rhinitis (AR) control and severity.
• Stepwise pharmacotherapy is a standard approach for managing AR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Allergic Rhinitis Control Test (ARCT) questionnaire as a tool for guiding stepwise pharmacotherapy in AR patients.
• To assess the effectiveness of a structured, step-up treatment approach based on ARCT scores.

Main Methods:

• A prospective study involving 255 Chinese AR patients using a stepwise pharmacotherapy regimen from Step 1 to Step 5.
• Patients were assessed with ARCT every 15 days, with treatment escalation if ARCT score remained below 20 (uncontrolled AR).
• Comparison of AR control subgroups based on ARCT scores and clinical characteristics.

Main Results:

• A high percentage of patients (96.8%) achieved AR control by the study's end.
• Patients with moderate/severe symptoms, impaired quality of life, asthma, rhinorrhea, or cough required up to Step 4 treatment and longer durations for control.
• Only 3.2% of patients remained uncontrolled at the study endpoint.

Conclusions:

• The majority of allergic rhinitis cases can be effectively managed with standard stepwise pharmacotherapy.
• The Allergic Rhinitis Control Test (ARCT) provides an objective criterion for implementing and adjusting stepwise pharmacotherapy in AR management.