The Prevalence and Impact of Allergic Rhinitis on Academic Performance and Quality of Life Among Medical Students in Saudi Arabia

Background: Allergic Rhinitis (AR) has a negative impact on both patients and society. Our study aims to assess the impact of allergic rhinitis on the academic performance and quality of life of medical students in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey targeted medical students in Saudi Arabia; a total of 851 students were included. The survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, academic year and GPA, Score for Allergic Rhinitis (SFAR), and Rhino-sinusitis Disability Index (RSDI). Results: We found that about 340 students (39.9%) had AR. The RSDI for students with AR was 34.9 ‡ 28.8, significantly higher than those with no AR (17.0 + 23.6),p<0.001. The relationship between AR and students* GPAs showed that those who had not experienced AR significantly had comparatively good PAs and above. In contrast, those who had experienced AR had poor GPAs (p<0.001). Similarly, students with AR had significantly missed classes more than those who had not experienced AR (p<0.001). Conclusion: The study showed that Allergic rhinitis negatively impacted Medical Students' academic performance and quality of life. It impacts wakefulness, and sleeping patterns can have a negative impact on academic performance.