Quality of life and rhinitic symptoms: Results of a nationwide survey with the SF-36 and ROLO questionnaires

Health care delivery is increasingly driven by results of outcomes studies. The best single instrument or combination of instruments for measurement of outcome in patients with symptoms of rhinitis has not been determined. The Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36), a generic instrument, and the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ), a disease-specific instrument, have both been used. We carried out a population-based study in 312 subjects with nasal/ocular symptoms who filled out both questionnaires. We then compared their responses with those of healthy controls. Statistically significant differences between patients and controls were observed in seven of nine dimensions in the SF-36 questionnaire and in all of the seven dimensions and the aggregate score of the RQLQ. In all cases, the direction of the changes in health status indicated impairment of quality of life, particularly in ability to perform normal physical roles. Patients were troubled by repeated nose blowing, had a disrupted sleep pattern, were fatigued, and had a reduced ability to concentrate. We conclude that these outcomes should be incorporated into clinical trials, effectiveness research, and therapeutic strategies.