Rhinitis symptoms and comorbidities in the United States: Burden of rhinitis in America survey

OBJECTIVE: To assess the burden of nasal symptoms in the United States (U.S.) and the comorbid conditions associated with nasal symptoms. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A self-administered screening questionnaire and follow-up survey was sent to targeted households from a representative sample of 15,000 households in the U.S. Subjects with comorbid asthma completed the Asthma Control Test (ACT). RESULTS: Out of 7024 evaluable subjects who responded, 3831 subjects were classified as rhinitis sufferers. Individuals with active rhinitis symptoms were 1.5 to 4.5 times more likely to suffer from comorbid conditions including asthma, conjunctivitis, otitis media, sinusitis, eczema, food and insect bite allergies, migraine, and depression. Almost half of all respondents with moderate or severe rhinitis symptoms and comorbid asthma had poorly controlled asthma as defined by an ACT score of <= 19. CONCLUSIONS: A strong relationship exists between rhinitis symptoms and various comorbidities, including asthma, in the U.S. population. Poorly controlled rhinitis contributes to the public health burden of rhinitis and asthma. (C) 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.