Suchergebnisse

Introduction: Allergic rhinitis is a very common disease with increasing social and economic impact. Medical therapy is expensive, not always effective and has significant side effects. The only ethological treatment: allergen avoidance is often impossible. Aim: To share our first impressions from broadband intranasal phototherapy. Material and methods: We studied 37 cases with intermittent or persistent allergic rhinitis, which underwent intranasal phototherapy at the Medical Institute of the Ministry of Interior or Military Medical Academy, Sofia with pre- and post-treatment nasal endoscopy and acoustic rhinometry. VAS was used for subjective assessment of the patients. Results: In all cases we found objective and subjective improvement (in nasal scores, endoscopic and acoustic rhinometry indicators). Conclusions: Broadband intranasal phototherapy seems to be an effective method for treatment of allergic rhinitis. It can be indispensable, especially in cases with contraindications for drug application.

Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war eine aus Patientensicht generierte Abbildung der momentanen Versorgungssituation der allergischen Rhinitis in Deutschland unter Nutzung eines etablierten und studienerprobten Apothekennetzwerkes. Zentrales Interesse galt sowohl der wahrgenommen Krankheitsbelastung, dem Medikamentenerwerb und der damit verknüpften Compliance sowie der Behandlungszufriedenheit als auch den von den Patienten genutzten Informationsquellen und aufgesuchten Fachdisziplinen. Des Weiteren wurden soziodemografische Daten und weitere atopische Erkrankungen der Befragten abgeklärt. Als erweiterte Erhebungsinstrumente kamen der Patient Be-nefit Index (PBI) und der Gesundheitsfragebogen EQ-5D zum Einsatz. Zur Auswertung der Fragestellungen konnten 199 Personendaten inklusive 74 ausführlicherer Datenerhebungen genutzt werden. Zwei Drittel der Teilnehmer waren mit ihrer bisherigen Versorgungssituation der aller-gischen Rhinitis "eher" bis "sehr zufrieden". Diese Relation ließ sich ebenso am Zufriedenheitsgrad mit der bisherigen Medikation ablesen. Entgegen der offiziellen Verordnungszahlen, die von Glukokortikoidpräparaten angeführt werden, kamen primär Antihistaminika mit einem Prozentsatz von 51% bis 62% aller jeweils genannten Medikamente zur Anwendung und waren mit einem Anteil von 84% bis 95% frei verkäuflich. Dieses in der Untersuchung mehrheitlich festgehaltene Nutzungsverhalten in der Selbstmedikation beinhaltet allerdings Verbesserungspotential, da sich die Anwender rein verschreibungspflichtiger Medikamente disziplinierter im Anwendungsverhalten präsentierten. Neben den Haus- und Hals-Nasen-Ohren-Ärzten wendeten sich die Teilnehmer vor allem an die Apotheker, welche an dieser Studie beteiligt waren. Die Tatsache, dass die Hälfte aller Probanden ihre allergische Rhinitis aktuell als "großes Problem" beschreibt, unterstreicht somit die Forderung nach einer Entlastung des pharmazeutischen Berufsstandes, weshalb eine noch engere Kommunikation pharmazeutischer und ärztlicher Fachkräfte gefordert ist. Die Beratung dieser – in der vorliegenden Studie überwiegend weiblichen – Patienten mit hohem Leidensdruck sollte deshalb wieder verstärkt von ärztlicher Seite erfolgen. In diesem Zusammenhang widerspricht die vorliegende Studie der Annahme, dass Betroffene, die einer ärztlichen Untersuchung bisher fernblieben, durch eine durchschnittlich niedrigere Belastungsempfindung oder Behandlungszufriedenheit motiviert sind. Zudem konnten bei einer OTC-basierten Selbstmedikation keine monetären Beweggründe für diese nachgewiesen werden. Somit sind Politik und Krankenkassen gefordert, entgegen häufig kostensparender Vorgehensweisen vorausschauend in die Bewusstseinsbildung der zahlreichen Betroffenen zu investieren, damit fachärztliche Konsultationen wieder vermehrt in Anspruch genommen werden. ; The aim of this work was to demonstrate the current supply situation of patients who suffer from allergic rhinitis. To accomplish this, an established and proven pharmacy network in Germany was used. First, the perceived burden of the disease and the drug acquisition with the related compliance and the associated satisfaction have been logged. In addition, the sources of information, which are used by the patients, and visited specialists have been recorded. Furthermore, sociodemographic data and other atopic diseases have been clarified by means of an advanced collection tools of the Patient Benefit Index (PBI) and the health questionnaire EQ-5D. When evaluating all issues, it was possible to use 199 personal data, including 74 more detailed data. Two thirds of the participants were "somewhat satisfied" to "very satisfied" with their current supply situation of allergic rhinitis. This ratio corresponded to the level of satis-faction with the medication which has been used previously. Contrary to the official number of prescriptions led by glucocorticoids, antihistamines have been applied with a percentage of 51% to 62% of all medicines previously mentioned. All antihistamines were available with a share of 84% to 95% without prescription. However, the compliance with self-medication needs to be improved as patients who only administered prescription drugs were more disciplined. In addition, participants were mainly advised by pharmacists rather than general practi-tioners and otolaryngologists. Therefore, support of pharmacists is required because half of the participants scaled the exercise of their allergic rhinitis as a "big problem". Because of that, a better communication between pharmaceutical and medical professionals is required in order to treat allergic rhinitis more efficiently. Hence, patients with a high level of suffering (who were predominantly female in our study) should receive better counseling by a doctor. Finally, the research findings indicate that patients who have not consulted a doctor are not motivated by a lower average stress sensation or lower treatment satisfaction. Fur-thermore, no monetary motivations could be proved concerning OTC-based self-medication. Thus, policy and health insurance companies should be proactive and invest more funds to better educate patients so specialists are visited more frequently.

In the African continent, the sensitization pattern and clinical profile are unknown in patients with rhinitis/rhinosinusitis attending the outpatient ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinics. We therefore aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics of rhinitis/rhinosinusitis patients in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), classify allergic rhinitis (AR) according to the Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma criteria, and evaluate the sensitization profile and its associated factors. From January to May 2009, 423 patients with rhinitis symptoms attending the Outpatient ENT clinic of the University Hospital and Saint Joseph Hospital of Kinshasa were evaluated for allergy symptoms, severity, and duration of symptoms and underwent skin-prick tests (SPTs) for a panel of 15 allergens. Of 423 patients 35.2% had positive SPT results, with 40.9% showing polysensitization. Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (DPT) (68.5%) and cockroach (36.2%) were the most common allergens among sensitized patients. Patients with rhinitis/rhinosinusitis mainly presented in decreasing order with sneezing, facial pain/pressure, nasal obstruction, postnasal discharge, nose itching, clear nasal discharge, and eye itching. Persistent and moderate/severe AR represented 61.4 and 69.3%, respectively. Sensitization was independently associated with younger age, rhinoconjunctivitis, and reaction to nonspecific trigger factors. In conclusion, 35.2% of patients attending the ENT Outpatient Clinic in DRC for rhinitis problems had a positive SPT to at least one allergen, with mainly DPT and cockroach allergens being involved; and a substantial portion showed persistent and moderate/severe AR. Therefore, allergy should not be neglected as an etiologic factor in rhinologic disease in the African continent.

Google Trends (GT) searches trends of specific queries in Google and reflects the real-life epidemiology of allergic rhinitis. We compared Google Trends terms related to allergy and rhinitis in all European Union countries, Norway and Switzerland from 1 January 2011 to 20 December 2016. The aim was to assess whether the same terms could be used to report the seasonal variations of allergic diseases. Using the Google Trend 5-year graph, an annual and clear seasonality of queries was found in all countries apart from Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta. Different terms were found to demonstrate seasonality depending on the country - namely 'hay fever', 'allergy' and 'pollen' - showing cultural differences. A single set of terms cannot be used across all European countries, but allergy seasonality can be compared across Europe providing the above three terms are used. Using longitudinal data in different countries and multiple terms, we identified an awareness-related spike of searches (December 2016).

International audience ; BACKGROUND:The affliction of allergic rhinitis (AR) has been trivialised in the past. Recent initiatives by the European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology and by the EU parliament seek to rectify that situation. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive picture of the burden and unmet need of AR patients.METHODS:This was a cross-sectional, online, questionnaire-based study (June-July 2011) including symptomatic seasonal AR (SAR) patients (≥18 years) from a panel. SAR episode pattern, severity, medication/co-medication usage, residual symptoms on treatment, number of healthcare visits, absenteeism and presenteeism were collected.RESULTS:One thousand patients were recruited (mild: n = 254; moderate/severe: n = 746). Patients with moderate/severe disease had significantly more symptomatic episodes/year (8.0 vs 6.0/year; p = 0.025) with longer episode-duration (12.5 vs 9.8 days; p = 0.0041) and more commonly used ≥2 AR therapies (70.5 vs 56.1 %; OR 1.87; p = 0.0001), looking for better and faster nasal and ocular symptom relief. The reported symptom burden was high irrespective of treatment, and significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the moderate/severe group. Patients with moderate/severe AR were more likely to visit their GP (1.61 vs 1.19 times/year; OR: 1.49; p = 0.0061); due to dissatisfaction with therapy in 35.4 % of cases. Patients reported SAR-related absenteeism from work on 4.1 days/year (total cost to UK: £1.25 billion/year) and noted presenteeism for a mean of 37.7 days/year (vs 21.0 days/year; OR 1.71; p = 0.0048). Asthma co-morbid patients reported the need to increase their reliever- (1 in 2 patients) and controller-medication (1 in 5 patients) if they did not take their rhinitis medication.CONCLUSIONS:This study differentiated between patients with mild and moderate/severe AR, demonstrating a burden of poorly controlled symptoms and high co-medication use. The deficiency in obtaining symptom control with what are currently considered firstline ...

International audience ; BACKGROUND:The affliction of allergic rhinitis (AR) has been trivialised in the past. Recent initiatives by the European Academy of Allergy & Clinical Immunology and by the EU parliament seek to rectify that situation. The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive picture of the burden and unmet need of AR patients.METHODS:This was a cross-sectional, online, questionnaire-based study (June-July 2011) including symptomatic seasonal AR (SAR) patients (≥18 years) from a panel. SAR episode pattern, severity, medication/co-medication usage, residual symptoms on treatment, number of healthcare visits, absenteeism and presenteeism were collected.RESULTS:One thousand patients were recruited (mild: n = 254; moderate/severe: n = 746). Patients with moderate/severe disease had significantly more symptomatic episodes/year (8.0 vs 6.0/year; p = 0.025) with longer episode-duration (12.5 vs 9.8 days; p = 0.0041) and more commonly used ≥2 AR therapies (70.5 vs 56.1 %; OR 1.87; p = 0.0001), looking for better and faster nasal and ocular symptom relief. The reported symptom burden was high irrespective of treatment, and significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in the moderate/severe group. Patients with moderate/severe AR were more likely to visit their GP (1.61 vs 1.19 times/year; OR: 1.49; p = 0.0061); due to dissatisfaction with therapy in 35.4 % of cases. Patients reported SAR-related absenteeism from work on 4.1 days/year (total cost to UK: £1.25 billion/year) and noted presenteeism for a mean of 37.7 days/year (vs 21.0 days/year; OR 1.71; p = 0.0048). Asthma co-morbid patients reported the need to increase their reliever- (1 in 2 patients) and controller-medication (1 in 5 patients) if they did not take their rhinitis medication.CONCLUSIONS:This study differentiated between patients with mild and moderate/severe AR, demonstrating a burden of poorly controlled symptoms and high co-medication use. The deficiency in obtaining symptom control with what are currently considered firstline treatments suggests the need for a novel therapeutic approach.

Google Trends (GT) searches trends of specific queries in Google and reflects the real-life epidemiology of allergic rhinitis. We compared Google Trends terms related to allergy and rhinitis in all European Union countries, Norway and Switzerland from 1 January 2011 to 20 December 2016. The aim was to assesswhether the same terms could be used to report the seasonal variations of allergic diseases. Using the Google Trend 5-year graph, an annual and clear seasonality of queries was found in all countries apart from Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta. Different terms were found to demonstrate seasonality depending on the country - namely 'hay fever', 'allergy' and 'pollen' - showing cultural differences. A single set of terms cannot be used across all European countries, but allergy seasonality can be compared across Europe providing the above three terms are used. Using longitudinal data in different countries and multiple terms, we identified an awareness-related spike of searches (December 2016).