Diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis due to house-dust mites in Spain.

BackgroundThe prevalence of allergic rhinitis due to house-dust mites (HDMs) is high and increasing. Treatment guidelines and consensus statements are available, but few data exist on how these are followed in clinical practice in Spain. This study was designed to collect data on diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis due to HDMs and adherence to guidelines in Spanish specialized clinical practice.MethodsIn this observational study, patients referred to specialists for a first consultation were collected. Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis due to HDMs was confirmed by skin-prick tests and measurement of specific immunoglobulin E levels. Variables included patient demographics, diagnosis, and treatment. Moreover, investigators answered a questionnaire on their attitudes to allergic rhinitis treatment.ResultsTwo hundred forty-seven clinicians collected evaluable data from 519 patients (mean age, 24.8 years; SD, 11.9 years; 54% women) with confirmed allergic rhinitis (86.2% with moderate or severe disease ...