Academic productivity of young people with allergic rhinitis: A MASK-air® study

Allergic rhinitis has a high prevalence, with more than 400 million affected globally. The aim of this study was to use real-world data to assess the impact of allergic rhinitis on academic performance (measured through a visual analog scale – VAS education – and the WPAI+CIQ:AS questionnaire), and to identify factors associated with the impact of allergic rhinitis on academic performance.

Data from 1970 users of the MASK-air® mHealth app between 13 and 29 years old was used. Researchers assessed the correlation between variables calculating the impact of allergies on academic performance (VAS education, WPAI+CIQ:AS impact of allergy symptoms on academic performance, and WPAI+CIQ:AS percentage of education hours lost due to allergies), and other variables. Furthermore, they have identified factors linked to the impact of allergic symptoms on academic productivity through statistical models.

VAS education was strongly correlated with the WPAI+CIQ:AS impact of allergy symptoms on academic productivity, VAS global allergy symptoms, and VAS nose. In multivariable regression models, immunotherapy showed a strong negative association with VAS education. Poor rhinitis control, measured by the combined symptom-medication score, was associated with worse VAS education, higher impact on academic productivity, and higher percentage of missed education hours due to allergy.

In conclusion, allergy symptoms and worse rhinitis control are correlated with worse academic productivity, while immunotherapy is linked to higher productivity.