In allergic rhinitis, work, classroom and activity impairments are weakly related to other outcome measures.

BACKGROUND: The impact of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis (AR) on classroom/work productivity and activities can be assessed with a specific instrument: the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire plus Classroom Impairment Questions: Allergy Specific (WPAI-AS). This study evaluated the relationships between the WPAI-AS and other outcome measures in AR.

METHODS: Adolescents (aged 12-17) and adults (aged 18-65) consulting specialists for AR were enrolled in a four-week, multicentre, observational study. The management of AR was left to the physicians' discretion. Participants regularly rated the WPAI-AS, their symptoms (using the Rhinoconjunctivitis Total Symptom Score (RTSS) and a 0- to 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS)) and quality of life (according to the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ)).

RESULTS: A total of 247 adolescents and 292 adults showed similar baseline impairments in classroom/work productivity and activities other than work. In both age groups, the WPAI-AS scores were moderately correlated with the RQLQ score and, to a lesser extent, with the VAS score and the RTSS. A multiple regression analysis indicated that the RQLQ score was a weak but statistically significant predictor of both impaired work/classroom productivity and daily activities. A 50-mm VAS cut-off categorized patients in whom AR had the greatest impact on productivity.

CONCLUSIONS: Grass pollen-induced AR impairs work/classroom and daily activity to a similar extent in adults and adolescents. The weak-to-moderate correlations with AR symptom scores and quality-of-life scores suggest that a specific tool (such as the WPAI-AS) should be used to assess AR's impact on word/classroom productivity and daily activities.