Perceptions of the impact of individual allergic rhinitis symptoms: a survey to clinical experts

Abstract

Background: Allergic Rhinitis is a highly prevalence chronic condition, whose symptoms may cause severe morbidity. Physicians' personal experiences with allergic rhinitis may influence their interpretation of patient symptoms. This study aims to identify the most frequent and bothersome symptoms reported by patients as perceived by healthcare professionals, and to compare these with the symptoms experienced by healthcare professionals with allergic rhinitis. Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study and surveyed members of the Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) initiative between 8th November and 31st December 2023. Results: A total of 401 responses were collected. ARIA physicians reported nasal symptoms as the most frequent (95.6% [92.8-97.5]) and most bothersome (63.2% [57.9-68.4]) symptoms perceived in patients. Nasal symptoms were most frequently reported as the most frequent (89.7% [95%CI=83.8-94.0]) and most bothersome (80.0% [95%CI=72.8-86.0]) by ARIA members with allergic rhinitis. An association was found between the physician's own symptoms and those perceived by the physician as the most bothersome in patients with allergic rhinitis. Conclusion: Nasal symptoms are most commonly reported and perceived as most frequent and bothersome. Our findings suggest an association between physicians' personal experiences with allergic rhinitis and their perception of patient symptoms.