550 The Impact of Nasal Allergies: Results from the Allergies Surveys in America, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East

BACKGROUND: The Allergies surveys have been conducted in several regions of the world, and provide the first worldwide comparative data on the prevalence and impact of nasal allergies. Here we report specifically on the impact of nasal allergies on daily life and work productivity in America (AIA), Asia Pacific (AIAP), Latin America (AILA) and Middle East (AIME) surveys. METHODS: Patients who were previously diagnosed by a health care professional with nasal allergies (hay fever, allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies, plus sinus disease in AIAP), exhibited symptoms, and/or had received treatment, were included. Standardized questionnaires provided by Abt SRBI were used; individual questions and methodology varied slightly between regions. In total, around 90,000 households were screened, including responses from 6,081 patients. RESULTS: Patients reported that allergies have a big impact on their daily lives, including limiting indoor and outdoor activities, work and having pets. A high percentage of those surveyed missed work or had their work performance affected by allergies in the past year, with work productivity decreasing by 23% in AIA, 24% in AIAP, 33% in AILA and 30% in AIME when allergy symptoms were at their worst. Nasal allergies also interfered with many patients' sleep, and were associated with feelings of depression, anxiety, irritability and tiredness. In terms of the impact of symptoms, 38% of those surveyed in AIA, 53% in AIAP and 46% in AILA reported that they could not tolerate the discomfort of an allergy attack without relief. CONCLUSIONS: Nasal allergies have a big impact on patients' lives all around the world, and there is still an unmet need for effective treatments that reduce symptoms. As a result, work productivity levels and daily activities are hugely affected in a large proportion of individuals with nasal allergies, throughout the world.