La rinite allergica in Italia: caratteristiche epidemiologiche e definizione delle modalità diagnostico-terapeutiche più utilizzate in italia nella nostra nazione

摘要

Allergic rhinitis is classically defined as an IgE-mediated in- flammation of nasal mucosa, characterised by nasal obstruc- tion, rhinorrhea, sneezing and nasal itching. It is certainly a high-prevalence disease and an important social and medical problem in many industrialised Countries, affecting about 20% of the general population; moreover, it is diagnosed with in- creasing frequency, both in adults and children in many devel- oping countries. In view of the high medical and social costs, a correct diagnostic approach to allergic rhinitis is a funda- mental need for the otorhinolaryngologist, also considering the severe complications (asthma, rhinosinusitis, rhino-otitis, rhi- nosinusal polyposis) which could develop if this disease is not recognised and adequately treated in its early phases. In order to evaluate not only the present epidemiological characteristics of allergic rhinitis in Italy but also the most commonly used di- agnostic and therapeutic approaches in the management of this disease, 145 Italian otorhinolaringologists were selected to take part in the investigation. Each was invited to complete a questionnaire, divided into 8 different sections, to be answered according to their daily clinical practice. The significance of the results has been compared with those of the international samples comprised in the ARIA Document and in the epi- demiologic survey of the Standing Committee on Rhinology and Allergy of the International Federation of Otorhinolaryn- gological Societies. A critical analysis of these data leads to some interesting epidemiological and therapeutic considera- tions.