Correlations of health-related quality of life questionnaire results in asthma and allergic rhinitis: effects of a leukotriene receptor antagonist

Bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis frequently coexist. This study investigated correlations of health-related quality of life (QOL) questionnaires for these diseases, assessing whether the selective leukotriene receptor antagonist (LTRA), pranlukast, had additional benefits to overall asthma control when there was concomitant allergic rhinitis. Patients with asthma-associated allergic rhinitis were randomly allocated to either LTRA(+) (n = 21, treated for 3 months with pranlukast), or LTRA(-) (n = 8, no pranlukast). At study start and at 3 months, pulmonary function was evaluated and QOL assessments were made using the Asthma Health Questionnaire-Japan (AHQ-Japan) and the Japan Rhino-conjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (JRQLQ). Total scores were significantly correlated both before and after therapy. After 3 months' therapy, pulmonary function and total AHQ-Japan and JRQLQ scores significantly improved in the LTRA(+) group, but not in the LTRA(-) group. A significant correlation between change at 3 months in the AHQ-Japan and JRQLQ scores from baseline values was seen in the LTRA(+) group. LTRA therapy improved allergic rhinitis symptoms, asthma symptoms and pulmonary function.