30 May Allergic Rhinitis Can Impair Adolescent Sleep and School Performance
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Blaiss
Michael S. Blaiss, MD, FACAAI
Executive Medical Director
American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
MedicalResearch.com: Is this research important? Why or why not?
Response: There has not been a comprehensive review of how allergic rhinitis impacts the adolescent population. Most studies put adolescents in with children and yet we know that how disease affects adolescents may be dramatically different than children. Adolescents is a difficult enough time with a chronic condition
MedicalResearch.com: What is the key take-home message?
Response: The symptoms associated with nasal and eye allergies can be different in adolescents compared with adults and children and lead to poor quality of life and impair learning in school. Adolescents with AR/ARC may experience difficulties falling asleep, night waking, and snoring, and generally have poorer sleep. Therefore health care providers need to aggressively control the adolescent’s allergic rhinitis.
MedicalResearch.com: Should the findings change patient management?
Response: Yes, when one is treating allergic rhinitis in the adolescent, it is important to understand how the condition can affect sleep and school performance so to make sure to use treatments than are not impairing and look to disease modifying treatments for allergic rhinitis such as allergen immunotherapy.
MedicalResearch.com: What are the study’s strongest points and their impact on the findings?
Response: Finally, we have comprehensive review of the impact of allergies on adolescents. It does point out we need more comprehensive studies in adolescents and make sure we don’t lump them as “old children” or “young adults”
MedicalResearch.com: What are its main limitations and their impact on the findings?
Response: It is a review and all studies look at the burden of disease in adolescence somewhat differently. Nevertheless, this comprehensive review still gives us a clear picture of the impact of allergies on adolescents
MedicalResearch.com: Please add any comments you feel should be in this article.
Response: The bottom-line is allergic rhinitis in the adolescent is not just a nuisance. It can lead to sleep disturbances, affect school performance, and academic achievement. This could affect their future occupation and financial situation. All health care providers therefore should aggressively treat the adolescent with allergic rhinitis to get the best outcomes and improve their quality of life.
Citation:
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology
Available online 4 April 2018
The burden of allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis on adolescents: A literature review
lMichael S.Blaiss MD EvaHammerby MSc SusanRobinson PhD
TessaKennedy-Martin MSc SarahBuchs MSc
[wysija_form id=”3″]
The information on MedicalResearch.com is provided for educational purposes only, and is in no way intended to diagnose, cure, or treat any medical or other condition. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health and ask your doctor any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. In addition to all other limitations and disclaimers in this agreement, service provider and its third party providers disclaim any liability or loss in connection with the content provided on this website.
Last Updated on May 30, 2018 by Marie Benz MD FAAD