Date: {{$ActivityAssignDate}}

Dear Dr. {{$doctorName}},

Subject : Cross-sectional survey to assess disease perspective and management practices of allergic rhinitis in Indian physicians

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an atopic disease presenting with symptoms of sneezing, nasal congestion, clear rhinorrhea, and nasal pruritis. It is an IgE-mediated immune response that is against inhaled antigens in the immediate phase, with a subsequent leukotriene-mediated late phase. In addition to nasal symptoms of AR, it also has ocular symptoms like itchy, watery, and redness of eyes. It has been demonstrated that AR has a detrimental effect on productivity and lifestyle quality, including the development of emotional challenges and a decline in sleep, social interaction, daily activities, and work and academic performance.

Risk factors include atopic family history, IgE levels above 100 IU/mL before the age of 6 years, higher socioeconomic status, and positive epicutaneous allergen testing.

Approximately 22% of adolescents currently suffer from AR in India. However, owing to the lack of adequate epidemiological studies in India, particularly in rural and suburban areas, this number may misrepresent the true burden of this disease. However, despite international guidelines, the diagnosis and management of AR in India are often suboptimal, for multiple reasons such as the lack of specialized training in allergy and immunology among Indian clinicians, the lack of diagnostic facilities, and the high cost of medications. Therefore, this cross-sectional study is designed to understand the disease perspective and management of allergic rhinitis.

If you agree to participate, you will need to provide an assessment response, to the standard data collection form (which we call DCF). A monitor will assist you in verifying and collecting the DCF.

We trust you and we are partners in promoting safe and effective drug therapy. In that spirit, we hope you will consent to participate in this study. If you do, please sign and return the enclosed reply along with your visiting card for the accuracy of records.