OBJECTIVE: We asked patients with allergies to complete the SF-36 Health Su
rvey, a health-related quality-of-life (QOL) measure, to determine the impa
ct of allergy on QOL.
STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: In total, 377 adults-140 men (37%) and 237 women
(63%)-seen in a tertiary care private neurotologic practice allergy clinic
completed the questionnaire before beginning immunotherapy and dietary mana
gement. One hundred patients completed both initial and 1-year follow-up qu
estionnaires. The SF-36 measures 8 health concepts ranging from physical to
mental health, and scale scores range from 0 to 100.
RESULTS: Initial mean scores ranged from a high of 79.1 for the physical fu
nctioning scale to a low of 47.2 for the vitality scale, lower (poorer) on
all scales than norms for the general US population. Significant improvemen
t occurred from initial to follow-up on all scales. The largest improvement
s were in role functioning-physical, role functioning-emotional, and social
functioning.
CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that allergy symptoms can affect QOL and that
treatment with specific immunotherapy and/or dietary management may lead to
measurable improvements.
SIGNIFICANCE: The significant impact of allergy must be recognized, and tre
atment should be offered. The SF-36 can be used to evaluate treatment outco
me.