Link between patient preferences and treatment outcomes in seasonal allergic rhinitis: An empiric investigation

In a multicenter, parallel-group, double-masked, randomized study, two ques tionnaires were administered to a clinical study population to identify whi ch specific symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis patients perceived as mo st important to relieve (personal preferences) and to learn whether any rel ationship existed between patient preferences and the severity of their sym ptoms during treatment with antihistamines. The group was composed of 256 m ales and 313 females. Their mean age was 32.4 years, and mean duration of s easonal allergic rhinitis was 14.5 years, with mean age of onset of 17.7 ye ars. After receiving placebo for I week, patients were randomly allocated t o receive an antihistamine (fexofenadine or loratadine) for 2 weeks. Patien t preferences for relief of individual allergy symptoms (rhinitis; sneezing ; itchy, watery, red eyes; itchy nose, palate, or throat) and related condi tions (fatigue, physical limitations) were scored using 2 different questio nnaires before treatment (0-to-10 category rating scale far assessing the 4 symptoms of allergic rhinitis) and after receiving placebo for 1 week (Fee ling Thermometer). Symptom severity was reported in patient diaries after 1 and 2 weeks of antihistamine treatment and was measured by patient self-as sessment. All symptoms were considered by the patients to be important to r elieve, the most important being itchy, watery, red eyes and rhinorrhea. Th e severity of allergy symptoms was consistently related to the importance o f symptoms identified before treatment. Therefore, including patient prefer ences in medical evaluations might be a useful tool in evaluating the succe ss of their treatment.