An online survey of clinical practice for allergic rhinitis among the Asia-Pacific representatives.

BACKGROUND: Physicians' knowledge and practice which are consistent with evidence-based guidelines can improve allergic rhinitis (AR) patients' care. Compared with western countries, the available literature about Asian doctors' perceptions and clinical practices regarding Allergic Rhinitis and its Impacts on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines is limited.

OBJECTIVE: To collect detailed information about the practical management patterns specific for AR patients and investigate compliance with ARIA in the clinical practice of Asian physicians and elucidate the possible inadequacy in the existing ARIA guidelines.

METHODS: An e-mail with a structured questionnaire was sent to members of the Asia-Pacific Association of Allergy, Asthma and Clinical Immunology. The questionnaire consisted of doctors' characteristics, environment of medical practice, routine clinical practice following ARIA guidelines and patients' adherence to the prescription.

RESULTS: Physicians from 14 countries and regions sent valid questionnaires back, 94.12% of whom were senior doctors with more than 10 years of experience. 88.24% of doctors diagnosed AR depending on the history combined with allergy tests. 82.35% of participants employed the classification criteria by ARIA. 94.12%, 88.24% and 41.8% of respondents recommended intranasal corticosteroids, oral antihistamines and leukotriene receptor antagonists as first-line medications. 5.88% treated perennial AR by intranasal corticosteroids alone. 11.76% of clinicians recommended no allergen immunotherapy (AIT) or biologics and 58.82% of interviewees reported AR patients occasionally or sometimes agreed with the recommendation of AIT.

CONCLUSIONS: There was high compliance with ARIA guidelines in Asian senior physicians' actual notion and practice in the management of AR. New-generation ARIA guidelines are imperative for unmet needs.