Date: {{$ActivityAssignDate}}

Dear Dr. {{ $doctorName }},

Subject: Current Allergic Rhinitis Experiences Survey (CARES)

An observational, cross-sectional survey on current management scenario and experiences of patients with Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis also known as pollinosis or hay fever is a common and chronic immunoglobulin E–mediated respiratory illness that can affect quality of life and productivity.¹,²

Allergic rhinitis is frequently caused by exposure to perennial or seasonal allergens present in the indoor and outdoor environment, the most common ones being pollens (grass, trees, weeds), house dust mites, pets, molds. Allergic rhinitis is one of most common allergic diseases worldwide, affecting about 10-25% of population. The burden of allergic rhinitis is enormous, constituting about 55% of all allergies.

Allergic rhinitis patients can be classified as sneeze runners and blockers. The most common symptoms being sneezing, running nose, nasal itching and nasal obstruction.Allergic rhinitis (AR)occurs when an allergen is the trigger for the nasal symptoms. NAR is when obstruction and rhinorrhoea occur in relation to nonallergic, non-infectious triggers such as change in the weather, exposure to caustic doors or cigarette smoke, barometric pressure differences, etc.¹

Both are highly prevalent diseases that have a significant economic burden on society and negative impact on patient quality of life.²

The prevalence of AR has been reported from 10% to40 % worldwide. AR is primarily driven by an immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated type 1 hypersensitivity response, due to an allergen exposure. ³

Classic AR symptoms include sneezing, rhinorrhoea, and nasal congestion/obstruction. These symptoms are non-specific, and the differential diagnosis of AR is broad.¹

Vasomotor rhinitis is the most common form of nonallergic rhinitis, comprising approximately 71% of all nonallergic rhinitis conditions. It is estimated that 14 million Americans suffer from vasomotor rhinitis, with a worldwide prevalence approaching 320 million.⁴

For phenotype classification, various criteria may be used, including the severity of disease (mild, moderate/severe), pattern of symptoms (seasonal/perennial or intermittent/persistent), predominant symptom (runners/blockers), possible triggering factor (allergens, infectious agents, etc.) and response to treatment (controlled/uncontrolled) The typical profile of patients with LAR includes mostly young women, non-smokers with moderate/severe rhinitis, with persistent/perennial clinical behaviour, and with conjunctivitis and asthma. Hence this study was planned to evaluate current management scenario and experiences of patients with Allergic Rhinitis.

As you will be spending some extra time to give your feedback on the questionnaire based on your clinical experience, we propose to pay you by cheque a professional fee of Rs {{$contractAmount}}, on receiving the completed Survey Questionnaire Form from you.