The economic impact of allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is the most common chronic allergic disease. Symptoms include continuous or periodic nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, itching of the nose and eyes, generalized malaise, irritability, and fatigue. We conducted an evaluation of the costs related to management of allergic rhinitis in a U.S. population. Data are based on self-reported trends in medication and health care services usage from a nationwide population sample selected from a base of 15,000 households. The average per-patient expenditure for prescription medications was $56 yearly. The mean per-patient expenditure for nonprescription medications was $56 yearly. Based on the findings of this study, the estimated total annual medication cost associated with allergic rhinitis in the United States is $2.4 billion. Because 63% of our study population had consulted a physician within the last 12 months, we estimate that a further $1.1 billion is associated with physician billing. The cost of the comorbid conditions of asthma and sinusitis originating from or exacerbated by allergic rhinitis could significantly alter these figures. If management of these conditions were allowed to contribute, even in part, to the indirect cost, the financial impact of this disease would be more properly appreciated.