Changes in olfaction & quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent & persistent allergic rhinitis
Background & objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disease prevalent worldwide which can affect both olfaction and quality of life (QoL). The objective of the present study was to assess olfaction and QoL changes in patients with AR before and after medical therapy. Methods: Adul...
| Main Authors: | , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2022-01-01
|
| Series: | Indian Journal of Medical Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.ijmr.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-5916;year=2022;volume=155;issue=3;spage=373;epage=379;aulast=Sara |
| _version_ | 1797995741816291328 |
|---|---|
| author | Katti Blessi Sara V Rupa L Jeyaseelan |
| author_facet | Katti Blessi Sara V Rupa L Jeyaseelan |
| author_sort | Katti Blessi Sara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background & objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disease prevalent worldwide which can affect both olfaction and quality of life (QoL). The objective of the present study was to assess olfaction and QoL changes in patients with AR before and after medical therapy.
Methods: Adult participants (>18 yr) with AR were recruited for this study. These patients prospectively underwent olfaction testing using the modified Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Centre Test and QoL assessment using Rhinoconjunctivitis QoL Questionnaire (RQLQ) before and after standard medical therapy with topical steroids and/antihistaminics.
Results: Of the 150 patients recruited, 72 per cent had intermittent AR. The symptom of hyposmia was present in 34 patients (22.7%) and was more prevalent in patients with moderate-to-severe type of AR (P<0.001). However, olfaction testing revealed hyposmia/anosmia in 44 patients (29.3%). Mean composite olfaction scores were significantly higher in patients with mild AR compared to moderate/severe AR (P=0.026). The pre-therapy mean composite olfaction score in the 34 patients with olfaction disturbances was 3.1 standard deviation (±1.06 SD). Following therapy, the mean composite olfaction score rose to 4.3 (±1.34 SD) and this change was found to be significant (P<0.001). Mean pre-therapy RQLQ scores were 2.87 (0.06-5.33) overall. Significant improvement was also found in RQLQ scores following therapy (P<0.001). Mean RQLQ scores were significantly lower in those with moderate-to-severe AR (P<0.001) as well as those with intermittent AR (P=0.004). Nine patients had persistently high RQLQ scores after medical therapy.
Interpretation & conclusions: Both olfaction and QoL showed significant improvement after medical therapy in Indian adults with AR. In those patients who do not improve, other causes must be sought for the persistent symptoms. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:06:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-a140813bb1914af9a8e364a67ba54a27 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0971-5916 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-11T10:06:28Z |
| publishDate | 2022-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Indian Journal of Medical Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-a140813bb1914af9a8e364a67ba54a272022-12-22T04:30:14ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Medical Research0971-59162022-01-01155337337910.4103/ijmr.IJMR_1517_19Changes in olfaction & quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent & persistent allergic rhinitisKatti Blessi SaraV RupaL JeyaseelanBackground & objectives: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an inflammatory disease prevalent worldwide which can affect both olfaction and quality of life (QoL). The objective of the present study was to assess olfaction and QoL changes in patients with AR before and after medical therapy. Methods: Adult participants (>18 yr) with AR were recruited for this study. These patients prospectively underwent olfaction testing using the modified Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Centre Test and QoL assessment using Rhinoconjunctivitis QoL Questionnaire (RQLQ) before and after standard medical therapy with topical steroids and/antihistaminics. Results: Of the 150 patients recruited, 72 per cent had intermittent AR. The symptom of hyposmia was present in 34 patients (22.7%) and was more prevalent in patients with moderate-to-severe type of AR (P<0.001). However, olfaction testing revealed hyposmia/anosmia in 44 patients (29.3%). Mean composite olfaction scores were significantly higher in patients with mild AR compared to moderate/severe AR (P=0.026). The pre-therapy mean composite olfaction score in the 34 patients with olfaction disturbances was 3.1 standard deviation (±1.06 SD). Following therapy, the mean composite olfaction score rose to 4.3 (±1.34 SD) and this change was found to be significant (P<0.001). Mean pre-therapy RQLQ scores were 2.87 (0.06-5.33) overall. Significant improvement was also found in RQLQ scores following therapy (P<0.001). Mean RQLQ scores were significantly lower in those with moderate-to-severe AR (P<0.001) as well as those with intermittent AR (P=0.004). Nine patients had persistently high RQLQ scores after medical therapy. Interpretation & conclusions: Both olfaction and QoL showed significant improvement after medical therapy in Indian adults with AR. In those patients who do not improve, other causes must be sought for the persistent symptoms.http://www.ijmr.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-5916;year=2022;volume=155;issue=3;spage=373;epage=379;aulast=Saraallergic rhinitis - hyposmia - quality of life |
| spellingShingle | Katti Blessi Sara V Rupa L Jeyaseelan Changes in olfaction & quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent & persistent allergic rhinitis Indian Journal of Medical Research allergic rhinitis - hyposmia - quality of life |
| title | Changes in olfaction & quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent & persistent allergic rhinitis |
| title_full | Changes in olfaction & quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent & persistent allergic rhinitis |
| title_fullStr | Changes in olfaction & quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent & persistent allergic rhinitis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Changes in olfaction & quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent & persistent allergic rhinitis |
| title_short | Changes in olfaction & quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent & persistent allergic rhinitis |
| title_sort | changes in olfaction quality of life following standard medical therapy in patients with intermittent persistent allergic rhinitis |
| topic | allergic rhinitis - hyposmia - quality of life |
| url | http://www.ijmr.org.in/article.asp?issn=0971-5916;year=2022;volume=155;issue=3;spage=373;epage=379;aulast=Sara |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT kattiblessisara changesinolfactionqualityoflifefollowingstandardmedicaltherapyinpatientswithintermittentpersistentallergicrhinitis AT vrupa changesinolfactionqualityoflifefollowingstandardmedicaltherapyinpatientswithintermittentpersistentallergicrhinitis AT ljeyaseelan changesinolfactionqualityoflifefollowingstandardmedicaltherapyinpatientswithintermittentpersistentallergicrhinitis |