News Release

Stress, fatigue plague patients with allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea

New research released at world's largest ENT meeting

Peer-Reviewed Publication

American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery

San Diego, CA – Patients who suffer from both allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may experience escalated symptoms of stress and fatigue.

In a paper presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO in San Diego, researchers studied 34 people who were diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea. Among them, 12 people were classified in the allergic rhinitis group and 22 people in the control group. The researchers evaluated BMI (Body Mass Index), AHI (Apnea Hypopnea Index), RERA (Respiratory effort related arousals), LSAT (Lowest O2 Saturation), RQLQ (Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire), ESS (Epworth sleepiness scale), stress score, fatigue score, and ability to cope, with questionnaires of both groups, then statistically compared mean scores of both groups.

Allergic rhinitis is well known for increasing patients' daytime somnolence, fatigue, and decreasing cognitive performance, as does OSA. But there have not been previous studies that showed the result if both diseases coexist.

Mean fatigue scores were 38.8 and 29.9 each, which were significantly higher in the allergic rhinitis group. That group showed higher stress scores, decreased ability to cope, and higher mean ESS, but they were not significant.

The authors note that their findings should highlight that patients who have both allergic rhinitis and obstructive sleep apnea might need more careful management and multiple therapeutic options to help relieve their symptoms. Additionally, patients with either allergic rhinitis or OSA should also be evaluated for the other condition to ensure appropriate care.

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Title: The effect of allergic rhinitis on degree of stress and fatigue
Presenters: Dae Han Chung, MD; Seung Youp Shin; Kun Hee Lee; Sung Wan Kim, MD; Joong Saeng Cho, MD

Information for the Media: The AAO-HNSF Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO Newsroom will be located in the San Diego Convention Center, Mezzanine Level, Room 14A. Hours of operation: Saturday, October 3, 12 pm to 5 pm; Sunday-Tuesday, October 4 – 6, 7:30 am to 5 pm; and Wednesday, October 7, 7:30 am to 2 pm (all hours Pacific time). The newsroom serves as a work space for credentialed members of the news media. The newsroom is managed and staffed by the AAO-HNS Communications Unit. Please see the AAO-HNS website for media credentialing requirements for the event.

Onsite Newsroom contact: 1-619-525-6202

About the AAO-HNS

The American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (www.entnet.org), one of the oldest medical associations in the nation, represents nearly 12,000 physicians and allied health professionals who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck. The Academy serves its members by facilitating the advancement of the science and art of medicine related to otolaryngology and by representing the specialty in governmental and socioeconomic issues. The organization's vision: "Empowering otolaryngologist-head and neck surgeons to deliver the best patient care."


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