The impact of allergic rhinitis on symptoms, and quality of life using the new criterion of ARIA severity classification.

INTRODUCTION: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disease with major socieconomic burden and a significant impact on quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the study was to assess the impact of AR severity, using the modified ARIA (m-ARIA) severity criterion in order to discriminate among moderate and severe AR, in symptoms and quality of life assessed with the questionnaire ESPRINT-15.

METHODS: The specific quality of life questionnaire (ESPRINT-15) was applied in over thousand untreated RA patients. Severity was evaluated by the m-ARIA classification, which categorizes AR as mild, moderate, and severe. Nasal symptoms were evaluated by using categorized (none, low, middle, and high) Total Four Symptom Score (T4SS).

RESULTS: Using the m-ARIA severity classification, significant differences in quality of life, both global score and specific domains, and categorized T4SS were found among the AR severity groups.

CONCLUSION: Modified ARIA severity classification in mild, moderate, and severe allergic rhinitis clearly discriminates the impact of AR in all domains of quality of life and categorized symptom`s score.