Quality of life of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis: preliminary validation of the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire in Singapore.

Abstract

Though sufferers of perennial allergic rhinitis do not die from their ailment, they endure years of chronic nose disease that Interferes with many important aspects of their lives. A rhinitis-specific instrument to gauge the quality of life of patients with this disease was published in 1991. Here, we validated the Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) for use in English-speaking patients with perennial allergic rhinitis. We established that the RQLQ distinguishes between patients and control, demonstrates internal consistency and is sensitive to change. This study suggests that the RQLQ can be used to assess the quality of life of patients with perennial allergic rhinitis in Singapore.