Impact of Allergic Rhinitis Control on Work Productivity and Costs: A Real-World Data MASK-air Study.

Area of Science:

• Allergy and Immunology
• Occupational Health
• Health Economics

Background:

• Allergic rhinitis (AR) imposes a considerable socioeconomic burden due to diminished work productivity.
• Understanding the impact of AR on the workforce is crucial for economic assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of allergic rhinitis on work productivity.
• To quantify the indirect economic costs associated with AR across 40 countries.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study utilized patient data from the MASK-air app.
• The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire: Allergy Specific assessed work impairment (presenteeism and absenteeism).
• Indirect costs were estimated weekly per country, considering different rhinitis control levels and the presence of asthma.

Main Results:

• Poor AR control led to a median presenteeism impact of 60.7%, significantly higher than partial (25.0%) or good (4.4%) control.
• Indirect costs due to presenteeism in poorly controlled weeks varied widely, from $65.7 PPP in Brazil to $693.6 PPP in Iceland.
• Patients with AR and asthma experienced greater work impairment (68.4%) compared to those with AR alone (39.1%), particularly during poorly controlled periods.

Conclusions:

• Inadequate control of allergic rhinitis is linked to reduced work productivity and increased indirect economic costs.
• The economic burden of AR is substantial, with a pronounced impact on individuals who also have asthma.
• These findings underscore the need for effective AR management to mitigate socioeconomic consequences.