Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded?

Andreena Nae; Michael Patrick Colreavy

doi:10.5152/ejra.2021.21723

Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded?

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the initial investigation and management of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients in general practice and determine if it could be expanded further. Methods: Clinical letters of patients with a diagnosis of AR seen in our outpatient’s department for the past 5 years were retrospectively reviewed. We have confirmed the diagnosis when possible, with allergy tests. Results: From 555 patients included in our study, 90.6% were referred by their general practitioner (GP). Male to female ratio was 1.7. Almost half of the patients presented with nasal congestion had typical AR symptoms. A positive personal history of atopy was present in 19% of cases. Only 4% of GPs performed nasal examination on their patients. One hundred and five patients (19%) were prescribed nasal sprays, but they neither received instructions on the technique nor were told to use them long term. Twelve percent of the cases had allergy testing done prior to our clinic assessment, which confirmed allergen sensitization in 82% of these cases. Conclusions: More efficient triaging and initial management of GP and otolaryngology referrals for rhinitis could result in fewer patients needing hospital management. We propose an instruction manual for GP suggesting initial appropriate and consistent topical therapy for at least 3 months, particularly in patients with a positive personal or family history of atopy, who have also been instructed in allergy avoidance. Those who fail should have allergy testing done or an alternative diagnosis considered.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Allergy, Otorhinolaryngology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Andreena Nae This is me
0000-0001-6575-5656
Ireland

Michael Patrick Colreavy This is me
Ireland

Publication Date

August 30, 2021

Submission Date

April 26, 2021

Acceptance Date

May 24, 2021

Published in Issue

Year 2021 Volume: 4 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5152/ejra.2021.21723

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA38WH48SJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Nae, A., & Colreavy, M. P. (2021). Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded? European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 4(2), 62-67. https://doi.org/10.5152/ejra.2021.21723

AMA

1.Nae A, Colreavy MP. Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded? Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2021;4(2):62-67. doi:10.5152/ejra.2021.21723

Chicago

Nae, Andreena, and Michael Patrick Colreavy. 2021. “Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded?”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 4 (2): 62-67. https://doi.org/10.5152/ejra.2021.21723.

EndNote

Nae A, Colreavy MP (August 1, 2021) Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded? European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 4 2 62–67.

IEEE

[1]A. Nae and M. P. Colreavy, “Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded?”, Eur J Rhinol Allergy, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 62–67, Aug. 2021, doi: 10.5152/ejra.2021.21723.

ISNAD

Nae, Andreena - Colreavy, Michael Patrick. “Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded?”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 4/2 (August 1, 2021): 62-67. https://doi.org/10.5152/ejra.2021.21723.

JAMA

1.Nae A, Colreavy MP. Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded? Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2021;4:62–67.

MLA

Nae, Andreena, and Michael Patrick Colreavy. “Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded?”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, vol. 4, no. 2, Aug. 2021, pp. 62-67, doi:10.5152/ejra.2021.21723.

Vancouver

1.Andreena Nae, Michael Patrick Colreavy. Initial Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Community—Could It Be Expanded? Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2021 Aug. 1;4(2):62-7. doi:10.5152/ejra.2021.21723