Search

Abstract: Introduction: The WHO–ARIA allergic rhinitis recommendations are evidence-based. Objectives: To determine the percentage of doctors who know and follow the WHO-ARIA guidelines and to evaluate their influence on medical practices. Methods: A cross sectional analysis based on a questionnaire was performed between April and July 2005 on randomly chosen general practitioners (943) and ENT doctors (277). Results: 54.4% of the doctors claimed to know the WHO-ARIA guidelines. 4.7% knew but did not follow them. Patients whom doctors knew the guidelines benefitted more frequently (p<0.0001) from an allergen search (42.2 vs 31.7%), a nasal endoscopy (38.3 vs 26.0%), a follow-up consultation (64.9 vs 52.6%) and written informations on rhinitis (30.7 vs 14.1%). There was no difference in terms of asthma search, first line treatment and duration of treatment. Conclusions: When the WHO–ARIA guidelines are known by doctors (half), they seem to be followed. They favor: allergy testing, nose examination, repeat visit, written information but paradoxically do not influence search for asthma and first line treatment strategy and duration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]