Abstract: . . .  updated about guidelines and recent stud- ies to help them select the optimal treat- ment. And finally, health authorities should balance costs against benefits, and not neglect the needs of patients. Only by collaboration between patients, physicians, and health authorities, can al- lergic rhinitis be effectively treated, greatly improving quality of life for pa- tients and reducing the pharmacoeco- nomic burden of the disease. Professor Claus . . .
. . .  tient and society. So, does this mean allergic rhinitis can- not be managed by the patients with over-the-counter medications? CB: Theoretically, for mild allergic rhini- tis (about 20% of the patients), self-man- agement by patients with over-the-counter (OTC) drugs may well be appropriate. However, this raises two problems: first, the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis has to be established, and second, the right choice of . . .
. . .  of the disease on their lives, and to instruct them about treatments and what patients should expect from those treatments. Such patient education empowers pa- tients to play an active role in managing their health. Comanagement by patient and doctor, as equal partners, is optimal. This also implies that physicians keep updated about guidelines and recent stud- ies to help them select the optimal treat- ment. And finally, health authorities  . . .
. . .  those with severe and persistent disease, need the help of physicians to recognize and adequately treat their allergy. These ef- forts should be supported by appropriate health policies. To summarize, how can care of allergic rhinitis be improved? CB: Awareness and knowledge are keys to optimal treatment. Patients need physi- cians as their partners to educate them about the disease, about the impact of the disease on . . .
. . .  optimal treat- ment. And finally, health authorities should balance costs against benefits, and not neglect the needs of patients. Only by collaboration between patients, physicians, and health authorities, can al- lergic rhinitis be effectively treated, greatly improving quality of life for pa- tients and reducing the pharmacoeco- nomic burden of the disease. Professor Claus Bachert (to whom correspondence should be addressed) is with . . .
--2500,5,250,2880,12500