Characteristics, quality of life and control of respiratory allergic diseases caused by house dust mites (HDMs) in Spain: a cross-sectional study.

Abstract

This multicentre, cross-sectional study conducted in Spain assessed the clinical characteristics and quality of life of patients who were aged 14-55 years and had allergic rhinitis and/or asthma, which was due to house dust mite sensitisation, for at least 2 years. Overall, 296 patients were included; 60% had allergic rhinitis (mostly persistent moderate-to-severe) and 40% had rhinitis and asthma (mostly intermittent or mild-to-persistent). Patients with rhinitis had moderately reduced quality of life, which was significantly worse in adults than adolescents. The impact of asthma on quality of life was less pronounced than that of rhinitis. Our findings show that allergic asthma and/or rhinitis due to house dust mites have a moderately negative impact on quality of life, particularly in adults, and that quality of life is significantly influenced by rhinitis.