D3.457 - Does the Way We Ask Matter? Comparing Self- and Interviewer-Administered RQLQ in Allergic Rhinoconjunctivitis

Allergic rhinitis and allergic rhinoconjunctivitis are highly prevalent chronic conditions that significantly impair patients’ quality of life (QoL), affecting daily activities, sleep, work performance, and emotional well-being. The Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) is a widely used, validated patient-reported outcome measure for assessing disease burden. However, the way in which the questionnaire is administered may influence patients’ responses, potentially impacting the clinical interpretation of QoL data.

To explore differences between self-administered and interviewer-administered RQLQ assessments in patients with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and to evaluate the practical implications of these differences in routine care and clinical assessment.

Quality of life was notably impaired across the study population, confirming the substantial burden of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. Overall RQLQ scores were broadly comparable between self-administered and interviewer-administered assessments. However, differences emerged at the domain level, particularly in emotional function, sleep disturbance, and activity limitation. Interviewer-administered questionnaires tended to capture a higher perceived disease impact, suggesting that patient–clinician interaction may facilitate more detailed symptom reporting, especially in less tangible or subjective domains. These findings indicate that RQLQ scores may reflect not only symptom burden, but also the context in which patient-reported outcomes are elicited.

These findings indicate that the method of RQLQ administration can influence the perception and reporting of disease burden in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis. In routine clinical practice, self-administered RQLQ may be sufficient for longitudinal monitoring, while interviewer-administered assessment may provide additional value in complex cases, severe disease, or when emotional and functional impact is underestimated. These results emphasize that the mode of questionnaire administration is not merely methodological, but a clinical decision that can enhance patient-centered evaluation and support more individualized management in allergic rhinitis. Choosing how we ask may be as important as what we ask when assessing quality of life in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.