Allergic rhinitis is often un-diagnosed and un-treated: Results from a general population study of Danish adults

TY - JOUR

T1 - Allergic rhinitis is often un-diagnosed and un-treated

T2 - Results from a general population study of Danish adults

AU - Larsen, Christian Grønhøj

AU - Gyldenløve, Mette

AU - Linneberg, Allan

N1 - © 2013 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

PY - 2013/10

Y1 - 2013/10

N2 - Introduction: A few earlier studies have indicated that allergic rhinitis (AR) is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Objective: To assess awareness, diagnosis and treatment of AR in a general population of Danish adults. Methods: 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. Results: The prevalence of AR was 23.1%. A total of 43.6% (n=122/280) of persons with AR had not received any treatment in the previous 12 months, and only 56.6% (n=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% (n=143/295). These persons were significantly more likely to having received treatment in previous 12 months and a diagnosis of hay fever. Conclusion: 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.

AB - Introduction: A few earlier studies have indicated that allergic rhinitis (AR) is underdiagnosed and undertreated. Objective: To assess awareness, diagnosis and treatment of AR in a general population of Danish adults. Methods: 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. Results: The prevalence of AR was 23.1%. A total of 43.6% (n=122/280) of persons with AR had not received any treatment in the previous 12 months, and only 56.6% (n=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% (n=143/295). These persons were significantly more likely to having received treatment in previous 12 months and a diagnosis of hay fever. Conclusion: 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.

U2 - 10.1111/crj.12015

DO - 10.1111/crj.12015

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 23362970

SN - 1752-6981

JO - Clinical Respiratory Journal

JF - Clinical Respiratory Journal

ER -