Quality of life in respiratory allergy

The HRQL (Health Related Quality of Life) is considered a relevant aspect o f pharmacological treatment, since it evaluates the outcomes from the patie nt's viewpoint. This article reviews the currently available information ab out HRQL as an outcome measure in Respiratory Allergy. Pertinent abstracts and articles were considered showing strong evidence that HRQL assessment h as emerged as an important parameter in both clinical practice and experime ntal trials. The different types of questionnaires used in HRQL assessment, the results of studies using those questionnaires and concomitant effect o f pharmacologic treatments, are herein reviewed. Moreover, the impact of al lergy specialists' care on patients, with allergies and the new perspective s in HRQL are discussed.