Getting to know

As a result of the new classification of allergic rhinitis, allergic patients are categorized as a function of the duration, frequency and severity of the symptoms as well as the impact of these symptoms on the patient’s quality of life.

The nasal symptoms are present for less than 4 days a week or for less than 4 weeks a year.

The severity of the disease, previously exclusively scored according to the individual severity of each of the nasal symptoms, is now estimated according to the impact of the disease on the patient's quality of life. This impact can be either "mild" on one hand or "moderate to severe" on the other according to the following definitions: 

• mild impact:
  • normal sleep
  • normal social and leisure activities
  • normal scholastic or professional activities
  • not very disruptive symptoms  
• moderate to severe impact:
  • disturbed sleep
  • disturbed social and leisure activities
  • disturbed scholastic or professional activities
  • disruptive symptoms 

A recent epidemiological study performed in Europe showed that about 2/3 of all allergic rhinitis corresponded to the criteria of intermittent rhinitis. Surprisingly, only half of the previous "seasonal" rhinitis is considered as intermittent, and half of the previous "perennial" rhinitis, which was generally regarded as being more chronic, is intermittent according the above criteria.

Symptoms are present for more than 4 days a week, and for at least 4 consecutive weeks in a year.

Similarly to Intermittent Allergic Rhinitis, discussed above, the severity of the disease, previously rated according to the gravity of the nasal symptoms, is now graded according to the impact of the disease on the patient's quality of life. 

• mild impact:
  • normal sleep
  • normal social and leisure activities
  • normal scholastic or professional activities
  • not very disruptive symptoms 
• moderate to severe impact:
  • disturbed sleep
  • disturbed social and leisure activities
  • disturbed scholastic or professional activities
  • disruptive symptoms 

A recent epidemiological study performed in Europe showed that about 2/3 of all allergic rhinitis corresponded to the criteria of intermittent rhinitis. Surprisingly, only half of the previous "seasonal" rhinitis is considered as intermittent, and half of the previous "perennial" rhinitis, which was generally regarded as being more chronic, is intermittent according the above criteria.