D1.392 - Allergic Rhinitis Patients Appear to be at Risk of Lower Quality of Life and Higher Probability of Moderate or Severe Anxiety: Results of an Online Survey in Lithuania

Allergic disorders have a relatively high prevalence in the modern world and this prevalence is still increasing in both developed and developing regions. Previous research has also established that allergic disorders negatively impact patients’ mental health. Combined, these interacting issues can contribute to lower quality of life of patients suffering from allergic disorders.

Objective: To analyse the extent to which allergic rhinitis negatively affects the quality of life of patients and contributes to anxiety in Lithuania.

An online survey was conducted. Google Forms platform was used to construct the questionnaire. The survey responses were gathered in January 2025. The invitation to participate in the study was shared through Facebook, as well as using Vilnius University student email addresses. Lithuanian versions of WHO-5 and GAD-7 questionnaires were made a part of the survey and were used to assess the quality of life and anxiety symptoms of the respondents.

106 individuals answered the questions of the online survey. We have found that respondents who were diagnosed with allergic rhinitis were at higher risk of experiencing bad quality of life (WHO-5 questionnaire score < 50) and exhibiting moderate or severe symptoms of anxiety (GAD-7 questionnaire value > 9) (RR (95% CI): 1.43 (0.66-3.11) and 1.25 (0.56-2.81), respectively). Additionally, patients’ perceived negative impact of allergic rhinitis on their ability to complete daily tasks has a weak relationship with their WHO-5 questionnaire scores (R² = 0.133; p < 0.05). We have also found a weak relationship between patients’ self-reported severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms and their WHO-5 as well as GAD-7 questionnaire scores (R² = 0.114; p < 0.05 and R² = 0.067; p < 0.05, respectively).

Here, we present results of an online survey regarding the mental health of allergic rhinitis patients in Lithuania. We have found that these patients are at greater risk of bad life quality and of moderate or severe anxiety compared to healthy individuals. We have also found, that the perceived severity of allergic rhinitis symptoms and the perceived negative impact that these symptoms have on day-to-day life of the respondents have a weak but statistically significant relationship with the mental health metrics that were assessed.