Physicians' Perception on Allergic Rhinitis and Its Management: A Questionnaire Based Survey.

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Otolaryngology
• General Practice

Background:

• Allergic Rhinitis (AR) significantly impacts quality of life but is frequently undertreated.
• The relationship between Allergic Rhinitis and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI) is not well-established.
• Physician perceptions and management practices for AR in India require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Indian physicians' perceptions regarding Allergic Rhinitis (AR) and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI).
• To evaluate current management practices for AR in the Indian healthcare setting.
• To explore the perceived link between AR and the incidence of URTI.

Main Methods:

• A questionnaire-based survey conducted via telephonic interviews with 300 physicians across India.
• Participants included Consultant Physicians, General Physicians, ENT surgeons, pediatricians, and allergy specialists.
• Data collected focused on AR/URTI prevalence, perceived causality, and treatment preferences.

Main Results:

• Consultant Physicians and General Physicians manage the highest number of AR patients.
• Physicians estimate that approximately 29.6% of AR patients develop URTI monthly.
• A strong majority (98%) believe recurrent URTI indicates undiagnosed AR and that AR predisposes patients to URTI.
• Oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids are the preferred first- and second-line treatments for AR.

Conclusions:

• Physicians widely acknowledge the association between Allergic Rhinitis and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections.
• Effective diagnosis and prompt treatment of AR are perceived to decrease URTI risk and associated complications.
• There is a clear need for standardized guidelines for diagnosing and managing Allergic Rhinitis in India.