TY - JOUR
T1 - Allergic rhinitis
T2 - Review of the diagnosis and management: South African Allergic Rhinitis Working Group
AU - Richards, Guy A.
AU - McDonald, Marinda
AU - Gray, Claudia L.
AU - de Waal, Pieter
AU - Friedman, Ray
AU - Hockman, Maurice
AU - Karabus, Sarah J.
AU - Lodder, Cornelia M.
AU - Mabelane, Tshegofatso
AU - Mosito, Sylvia M.
AU - Nanan, Ashen
AU - Peter, Jonny G.
AU - Quitter, Traugott H.C.
AU - Seedat, Riaz
AU - van den Berg, Sylvia
AU - van Niekerk, Andre
AU - Vardas, Eftyhia
AU - Feldman, Charles
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, AOSIS (pty) Ltd. All rights reserved.
PY - 2023
Y1 - 2023
N2 - Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has a significant impact on the community as a whole with regard to quality of life and its relationship to allergic multi-morbidities. Appropriate diagnosis, treatment and review of the efficacy of interventions can ameliorate these effects. Yet, the importance of AR is often overlooked, and appropriate therapy is neglected. The availability of effective medications and knowledge as to management are often lacking in both public and private health systems. Methods: This review is based on a comprehensive literature search and detailed discussions by the South African Allergic Rhinitis Working Group (SAARWG). Results: The working group provided up-to-date recommendations on the epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis and management of AR, appropriate to the South African setting. Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis causes significant, often unappreciated, morbidity. It is a complex disease related to an inflammatory response to environmental allergens. Therapy involves education, evaluation of allergen sensitisation, pharmacological treatment, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and evaluation of the success of interventions. Regular use of saline; the important role of intranasal corticosteroids, including those combined with topical antihistamines and reduction in the use of systemic steroids are key. Practitioners should have a thorough knowledge of associated morbidities and the need for specialist referral. Contribution: This review summarises the latest developments in the diagnosis and management of AR such that it is a resource that allows easy access for family practitioners and specialists alike.
AB - Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) has a significant impact on the community as a whole with regard to quality of life and its relationship to allergic multi-morbidities. Appropriate diagnosis, treatment and review of the efficacy of interventions can ameliorate these effects. Yet, the importance of AR is often overlooked, and appropriate therapy is neglected. The availability of effective medications and knowledge as to management are often lacking in both public and private health systems. Methods: This review is based on a comprehensive literature search and detailed discussions by the South African Allergic Rhinitis Working Group (SAARWG). Results: The working group provided up-to-date recommendations on the epidemiology, pathology, diagnosis and management of AR, appropriate to the South African setting. Conclusion: Allergic rhinitis causes significant, often unappreciated, morbidity. It is a complex disease related to an inflammatory response to environmental allergens. Therapy involves education, evaluation of allergen sensitisation, pharmacological treatment, allergen immunotherapy (AIT) and evaluation of the success of interventions. Regular use of saline; the important role of intranasal corticosteroids, including those combined with topical antihistamines and reduction in the use of systemic steroids are key. Practitioners should have a thorough knowledge of associated morbidities and the need for specialist referral. Contribution: This review summarises the latest developments in the diagnosis and management of AR such that it is a resource that allows easy access for family practitioners and specialists alike.
KW - allergic rhinitis
KW - antihistamines
KW - immunotherapy
KW - intranasal corticosteroids
KW - saline rinse
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85175569462&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.4102/safp.v65i1.5806
DO - 10.4102/safp.v65i1.5806
M3 - Article
C2 - 37916698
AN - SCOPUS:85175569462
SN - 2078-6190
VL - 65
JO - South African Family Practice
JF - South African Family Practice
IS - 1
M1 - a5806
ER -