Quality of life of Japanese seasonal allergic rhinitis patients is related to timing of pollen dispersal – multicenter analysis

Abstract

Conclusion: Both the symptoms score and quality of life (QOL) score increased in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis as pollen dispersed, and nasal congestion, which had a strong effect on sleep, had the largest effect on the decrease in ‘total QOL’ in all the groups of patients. Objectives: To assess QOL scores in patients with Japanese cedar (JC) pollinosis in relationship to timing of pollen dispersal. Methods: A multicenter, inter-group, cross-sectional study was conducted in 905 adult symptomatic patients with JC pollinosis to investigate the Japanese Allergic Rhinitis Standard QOL Questionnaire (JRQLQ).. The subjects were divided into five groups based on the timing of their responses to the questionnaire. JRQLQ scores were analyzed and compared among the patient groups. Results: Both the symptoms score and JRQLQ score increased in patients as pollen dispersed. Among the symptoms of pollinosis, nasal congestion had the largest effect on the decrease in QOL, and had a strong effect on sleep, which may influence daytime activities and reduce QOL.

Keywords::

• Multicenter study
• JRQLQ
• nasal congestion
• sleep
• pollinosis

Acknowledgment

We express our gratitude to all the members of the Keio University Otolaryngologists Association (Keiji-kai).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.