REVIEWS 

Otorinolaringologia 2005 September;55(3):187-201

Copyright © 2009 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

Current concepts and therapeutic strategies for allergic rhinitis

Gandhi R. K., Blaiss M. S.

Department of Clinical Allergy and Immunology University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis, TN, USA

Allergic rhinitis has become a global health problem affecting 10-25% of the population. This figure underestimates the true prevalence of allergic rhinitis primarily due to underdiagnosis, misdiagnosis, and patients not seeking medical attention. Allergic rhinitis can also lead to learning impairments, poor concentration at school and home, sleep disturbances, and social dysfunction including poor self-esteem and family conflict. The costs of allergic rhinitis also go further to include the relationship of allergic rhinitis with other medical comorbidities including asthma, allergic conjunctivitis, chronic otitis media, dental malocclusion, nasal polyps, and sinusitis. Furthermore, many treatments used for allergic rhinitis can cause impairment and sedation, and it is important, especially in children, to determine the appropriate individual treatment regimen for each patient. The primary goal of allergic rhinitis treatment is to treat current symptoms and to prevent comorbidities without interfering with the patient’s ability to function on a daily basis. Treatment of allergic rhinitis should begin with proper avoidance measures when allergic triggers have been identified through skin prick testing or radioallergosorbent test. Pharmacologic management includes first and second generation antihistamines, intranasal corticosteroids, leukotriene receptor antagonists, mast cell stabilizers, and decongestants. Allergen specific immunotherapy remains the only disease modifying treatment available for AR treatment at present.