Real-world patient's practices in the management of allergic rhinitis in the Philippine setting

Allergic rhinitis is a prevalent disease and there is a need for local real-world data to create relevant guidelines and care pathways in its management.

The aim was to investigate the health-seeking behavior and practices of Filipinos in managing allergic rhinitis symptoms.

A cross-sectional stratified online survey was conducted among Filipinos with allergic rhinitis symptoms. Stratified sampling, based on age group and region of residence in the Philippines, with proportional allocation, was used to select the respondents of this study.

A total of 317 respondents (213 adults and 104 pediatric) were included in the analysis. The majority (61.83%) had moderate-severe intermittent allergic rhinitis. Eighteen percent (18%) had no prior consult with a physician, while 37% had self-medicated. Sixty-three percent of participants preferred taking prescribed oral medications and 48.6% preferred a prescribed nasal spray. The most common drug classes used for allergic rhinitis were oral antihistamines (68.14%) and steroid nasal spray (34.07%). Only 45.42% admitted to being fully adherent with their prescribed medications. The most frequently cited factors that would improve compliance were cost (47.32%), few side effects (47.32%), and rapid onset of effect (40.38%). Only 21.14% of respondents had undergone allergen skin testing and 6.62% had undergone immunotherapy.

Many Filipinos who suffer from allergic rhinitis symptoms have not been seen by a physician or, even after consultation, are not adherent to prescribed medications. There is a need for increased public awareness regarding allergic rhinitis and more effective communication between patients and the healthcare provider to improve outcomes.