Impact of surgery and intranasal corticosteroid therapy on quality of life of patients with allergic rhinitis

Introduction: Prevalence of allergic rhinitis (AR) in India ranges from 10% to 15%. AR significantly affects the quality of life (QOL). This study was designed with an objective to assess the impact of surgery and 3 months of intranasal corticosteroids therapy on the QOL of patients with AR. Materials and Methods: A before and after comparison cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2012 and December 2013. A total of fifty consecutive patients in the age group of 19-59 years suffering from moderate-severe AR presenting at KKR ENT Hospital and Research Institute were included in the study after taking their consent. Individuals with contraindications for the surgery or intranasal corticosteroid therapy were excluded from the study. QOL was assessed using the mini rhinoconjunctivitis QOL questionnaire before the surgery and 3 months after starting corticosteroid therapy following the surgery. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical and Scientific Committee. Absolute eosinophil count (AEC) and QOL scores were used to measure the impact. Descriptive statistics and paired t-tests were used to analyze the data and lend statistical support. Results: Mean AEC reduced from 517.66 (±74.42) to 322.70 (±54.68) after surgery and 3 months of intranasal corticosteroid therapy, and this reduction was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Mean QOL scores reduced from 2.624 (±0.445) to 2.031 (±0.386) after surgery and 3 months of intranasal corticosteroid therapy, and this reduction was statistically significant (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Within 3 months after the surgery and intranasal corticosteroid therapy, the mean AEC as well as the mean QOL scores reduced significantly indicating a reduction in the allergic reaction and an improvement in the QOL of patients suffering from AR