Evaluating Quality of Life in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis in a Family Medicine Unit in Mexico City

Abstract

Objective: to determine quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis and were attended in a Family Medicine Unit in Mexico City. Material and methods: it was applied a cross sectional, descriptive, observational and prospective study in outpatients with allergic rhinitis during the consultation in a Family Medicine Unit in Mexico City, selected through a not probabilistic sample by convenience, from September to December 2009. Variables: age, sex, occupation, activities limitation, sleep quality, non allergic symptoms, practical problems, nasal and ocular symptoms, emotional state and quality of life. The evaluation was conducted through the application of the RQLQ Test (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire), data analysis, frequencies and percentages. Results: from the 243 interviewed patients, 156 (64.19%) were female and 85 (35.80%) were male. The mean age was 25.97 years old, the standard deviation 7.905 years. There were 71 patients (29.21%) with a better quality of life and 172 (70.78%) with worse quality of life. Conclusions: quality of life is affected in 70.78% of the studied population. Allergic rhinitis is associated to a low mortality but with a major impact in personal, physical and psychological aspects.