Background: Quality of life (QOL) issues resulting from participation in an
allergy research trial, or indeed any clinical trial, is not documented in
the medical literature.
Objective: To determine whether participating in a trial where allergic sym
ptoms are induced has a significant impact on subjects' QOL, and to quantif
y extent and duration.
Methods: Subjects were recruited from a trial utilizing a controlled allerg
en environment to assess anti-allergic medications. A QOL survey (consistin
g of the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire [RQLQ] & the SF-
36) was completed at screening, on study day, and approximately 2 weeks pos
t-study. Follow-up was sought from subjects' whose QOL was significantly wo
rse than baseline.
Results: Of 219 trial participants, 206 completed both screening and study
surveys; 141 returned at least one follow-up survey; and 136 constructed th
e final dataset. Mean overall scores at follow-up via RQLQ were significant
ly better than screening (P <.001). Significant decreases in QOL from basel
ine on study day occurred in social function on the SF-36 (P =.026) and in
domains of sleep (P =.019), non-nasal symptoms (P =.05), ocular symptoms (P
<.001), and nasal symptoms (P <.001) on the RQLQ. Average post-study follo
w-up was 17.1 days (range = 5 to 55 days).
Conclusion: Subjects participating in a trial involving allergic symptom in
duction experienced a decrease of QOL in parameters specific to rhinoconjun
ctivitis and social function. Subjects' QOL returned to or improved over ba
seline within 21/2 weeks. Positive QOL findings are important to studies wh
ere symptoms are induced and also have relevance to standard Phase 3 drug t
rials.