Survey: AR symptoms continue to impact patients' daily activities

Results from a recent pivotal allergic rhinitis (AR) satisfaction survey assessing patient and healthcare provider perspectives on AR reveal that symptoms like nasal congestion and post-nasal drip continue to impact patients' daily activities. Findings from the Nasal Allergy Survey Assessing Limitations (NASL) 2010, released today by Teva Respiratory at the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) Annual Meeting, held in San Francisco, Calif., highlight the continued unmet need for more effective treatment options to help reduce symptoms and overall disease burden of AR.

According to NASL 2010, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip and repeated sneezing continue to be the most frequently reported nasal allergy symptoms among patients. Beyond physical symptoms, AR patients experience emotional burdens, like feeling tired and miserable. When assessing the impact nasal allergies have on productivity, the survey revealed that patients are less productive when their nasal allergies are at their worst, limiting them from doing well at work.

"It's clear from the NASL 2010 findings that the estimated 60 million people living with allergic rhinitis in the U.S. are still significantly affected, both physically and emotionally, by symptoms," said Gary Gross, M.D. FAAAAI, Dallas Allergy & Asthma Center, Dallas, Texas. "This is a continuing trend we're seeing in patients having allergic rhinitis as these findings are similar to those released in a past survey evaluating disease burden on patients. The NASL survey results further support the need for more effective treatment options that address these specific issues for patients living with allergic rhinitis."

Nasal allergies can make it difficult for people to take part in both indoor and outdoor activities if their symptoms are not well controlled. According to NASL 2010, less than 20 percent of surveyed patients felt their nasal allergies were completely controlled over a one week time period. The vast majority of allergists, otolaryngologists and primary care providers interviewed in the survey stated intranasal corticosteroid sprays as their preferred treatment of choice for adults with moderate to severe persistent nasal allergies.

Among the patients surveyed in NASL 2010 who were familiar with intranasal corticosteroid sprays, nearly four times as many say that the benefits of these medications outweigh the drawbacks. Currently, the only intranasal corticosteroids available for the treatment of AR are products with an aqueous or "wet" spray. However, survey results found that nasal allergy patients who have used an intranasal corticosteroid spray in the last year report dripping down the throat as a moderately or extremely bothersome side effect.

"When patients experience symptoms of nasal allergies it can impact their work performance by reducing productivity, which leads to both social and economic costs," continued Dr. Gross. "Until there are products that alleviate bothersome symptoms like post-nasal drip, we'll continue to see dissatisfaction and low treatment compliance among patients. It's important for patients to maintain adherence with their medications to manage symptoms and achieve better outcomes."