Allergic rhinitis is often undiagnosed and untreated: results from a general population study of Danish adults. (20th March 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grønhøj Larsen, Christian; Gyldenløve, Mette; Linneberg, Allan
• Is Part Of: Clinical respiratory journal. Volume 7:Number 4(2013)
• Page Start: 354
• Page End: 358
• Publication Date: 2013-03-20
• Subjects: Respiratory organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Respiratory organs -- Periodicals; 616.24
• DOI: 10.1111/crj.12015
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1752-6981

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="crj12015-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Introduction</title> <p>A few earlier studies have indicated that allergic rhinitis (AR) is underdiagnosed and undertreated.</p> </sec> <sec id="crj12015-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Objective</title> <p>To assess awareness, diagnosis and treatment of AR in a general population of Danish adults.</p> </sec> <sec id="crj12015-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Between October 2007 and June 2008, a total of 1277 consecutive participants in a Danish general population study of 18‐ to 69‐year olds were skin‐prick‐tested and asked about respiratory symptoms. AR was defined as a combination of self‐reported rhinitis symptoms and skin‐prick test reactivity against inhalant allergens. Participants reporting rhinitis symptoms completed an additional questionnaire on medication for rhinitis symptoms.</p> </sec> <sec id="crj12015-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>The prevalence of AR was 23.1%. A total of 43.6% (<italic>n</italic> = 122/280) of persons with AR had not received any treatment in the previous 12 months, and only 56.6% (<italic>n</italic> = 163/288) had been given a diagnosis of hay fever by a doctor. Both AR and lower airway symptoms indicating more severe AR were reported in 48.5% (<italic>n</italic> = 143/295). These persons were significantly more likely to having received treatment in previous 12 months and a diagnosis of hay fever.</p> </sec> <sec id="crj12015-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Our results support that even in an affluent country like Denmark, AR is often undiagnosed and untreated. There appears to be a need for increased awareness of AR with regard to both diagnosis and treatment.</p> </sec> </abstract>