Effectiveness of immunotherapy for recurring sinusitis associated with allergic rhinitis as assessed by the Sinusitis Outcomes Questionnaire

Outcomes measurement is a proficient method for determining the effectiveness of medical therapy. Currently, there are no easy-to-use and inexpensive questionnaires available to evaluate the impact of immunotherapy in the treatment of sinusitis by allergists, given the research constraints of a private practice setting. To measure the effectiveness of immunotherapy in the overall treatment of atopic patients with associated sinusitis in a private practice setting. A total of 114 patients with a history of rhinitis and sinusitis and positive radiographic evidence of sinus disease were consecutively chosen from 3 private practices nationwide and surveyed for global symptoms and specific symptoms related to the nose, sinuses, eyes, and chest with the Sinusitis Outcomes Questionnaire (SOQ). Their medical history, including prior treatment, was evaluated. This questionnaire was administered twice in one sitting, with the first a recall of symptoms before starting immunotherapy and the second an evaluation of current symptoms. The data revealed that 99% believed immunotherapy worked, with 1% unsure. Patients experienced a 72% decrease in days lost from work or school and a 26% reduction in the use of medications per year. There was a mean reduction of 51% in the overall symptom score of the patients after receiving immunotherapy. This study demonstrates that the user-friendly SOQ can be effectively and inexpensively used in a private practice setting and suggests that immunotherapy is an effective treatment for patients with sinus disease and allergic rhinitis.