Effects of Levocetirizine on Quality of Life in the Patients with Allergic Rhinitis

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Allergy is a chronic disorder with undesirable consequences on the quality of life (QoL). The first aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of allergy on the QoL and to show the correlation between symptoms and categories of the QoL. The second purpose is to determine whether treatment with levocetirizine improves the QoL among allergic rhinitis patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 412 allergic patients answered the questionnaire and its sensitivity was checked to validate its usefulness in asthma and allergic rhinitis patients. To evaluate the effect of applying levocetirizine for 1 month on the QoL among allergic rhinitis patients, a total of 94 subjects were assessed with the questionnaire and analyzed (paired t-test). To evaluate its effect on the symptoms of allergic rhinitis for the duration of 2 and 4 weeks, a total of 100 subjects were analyzed (repeated ANOVA) with the symptom questionnaire. RESULTS: Besides the physical symptoms, patients suffered from activity restriction, emotional problems, difficulty in being examined, and dissatisfaction with health status. The correlation between the questionnaire and the QoL was statistically significant. After treatment, the QoL and symptoms, except nasal congestion, were significantly improved. CONCLUSION: The questionnaire can be beneficial in assessing the QoL among allergic patients. Treatment with levocetirizine provides improvement in the QoL and lowers the symptoms score among allergic rhinitis patients.