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Symptom control and health-related quality of life in allergic rhinitis with and without comorbid asthma: a multicentre European study
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  • Isabella Annesi-Maesano,
  • Subhabrata Moitra,
  • Marzia Simoni,
  • Sandra Baldacci,
  • Sara Maio,
  • Anna Angino,
  • Patrizia Silvi,
  • G. Viegi,
  • Stefania La Grutta,
  • Franco Ruggiero,
  • Gianni Bedini,
  • Francesca Natali,
  • Lorenzo Cecchi,
  • Uwe Berger,
  • Maria Prentovic,
  • Amir Gamil,
  • Nour Baiz,
  • Michel Thibaudon,
  • Samuel Monnier,
  • Davide Caimmi,
  • LUCIANA TANNO,
  • Pascal Demoly,
  • Simone Orlandini
Isabella Annesi-Maesano
Montpellier Universite d'Excellence

Corresponding Author:isabella.annesi-maesano@inserm.fr

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Subhabrata Moitra
University of Alberta Department of Medicine
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Marzia Simoni
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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Sandra Baldacci
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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Sara Maio
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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Anna Angino
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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Patrizia Silvi
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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G. Viegi
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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Stefania La Grutta
Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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Franco Ruggiero
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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Gianni Bedini
Istituto di Fisiologia Clinica Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche
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Francesca Natali
Western Colorado University Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences
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Lorenzo Cecchi
Universidad Dominicana O&M Medical School
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Uwe Berger
University of Vienna Polymer and Composites Engineering Group
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Maria Prentovic
University of Vienna Polymer and Composites Engineering Group
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Amir Gamil
Montpellier Universite d'Excellence
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Nour Baiz
Montpellier Universite d'Excellence
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Michel Thibaudon
INSERM
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Samuel Monnier
INSERM
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Davide Caimmi
Montpellier Universite d'Excellence
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LUCIANA TANNO
Montpellier Universite d'Excellence
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Pascal Demoly
Montpellier Universite d'Excellence
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Simone Orlandini
Western Colorado University Department of Natural and Environmental Sciences
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Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a major non-communicable disease that affects the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients. AR is significantly related to asthma also affecting HRQoL. However, data on HRQoL and symptom control in AR patients with comorbid asthma are lacking. Objective: To assess the differences of symptom control and HRQoL in AR patients with and without comorbid asthma. Methods: In this multicentre, cross-sectional study, patients with AR were screened and administered questionnaires of demographic characteristics and health conditions (symptoms/diagnosis of AR and asthma, disease severity level, and allergic conditions). HRQoL was assessed using a modified version of the RHINASTHMA questionnaire and symptom control was evaluated by a modified version of the Control of Allergic Rhinitis/Asthma Test (CARAT). Results: Out of 643 patients with AR, 500 (78%) had asthma as a comorbidity, and 54% had moderate-severe intermittent AR, followed by moderate-severe persistent AR (34%). Patients with both AR and asthma had significantly higher RHINASTHMA scores than the patients with AR alone (e.g., median RHINASTHMA-total score 84 vs. 48.5, respectively). Conversely, CARAT scores were significantly lower in AR with comorbid asthma than in the patients with AR alone (median CARAT-total score 16.5 vs. 23, respectively). Upon stratifying asthma based on severity, AR patients with severe persistent asthma had worse HRQoL and control than AR patients with mild persistent asthma. Conclusions: Our observation of poorer HRQoL and symptoms control in AR patients with comorbid asthma supports the importance of a comprehensive approach for the management of AR in case of a comorbid allergic condition.