New Survey Suggests Cultural Ambivalence To Allergies Leaves Many Suffering Needlessly
Monday, June 23rd, 2008
Indoor and outdoor allergies affect about 50
million people in the United States.(1)(2) Yet, according to "Attitudes
About Allergies," a national telephone survey, allergies are often
disregarded as a nuisance: in today’s society allergies get little respect.
As a result, allergy sufferers continue to cope needlessly with not only
the physical impact of allergies, but the emotional effects as well. The
survey was commissioned by Schering-Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals and
conducted by Harris Interactive(R). Three separate surveys were conducted:
a survey of more than 1,000 consumers, which included allergy sufferers and
non-allergy sufferers; a survey of more than 1,000 allergy sufferers only;
and a survey of 300 physicians.
The survey of consumers found that they view diabetes (81 percent),
hypertension or high blood pressure (76 percent) and arthritis (57 percent)
as more serious than indoor and outdoor allergies. Twenty-nine percent of
consumers said they view insomnia as more serious than indoor and outdoor
allergies. In addition, while the survey of consumers found that
seventy-eight percent feel sorry for allergy sufferers, more than a third
(36 percent) believe that allergy sufferers overstate the severity of their
symptoms and thirty percent say allergy sufferers use allergies as an
excuse to get out of something.
"Allergies are often disregarded in our society, making it acceptable
to tell allergy sufferers to ‘get on with it’ and not complain," said
Belinda Borrelli, PhD, associate professor, department of psychiatry and
human behavior, Brown Medical School and The Miriam Hospital. "But
allergies take an emotional toll on the sufferer. And despite that,
sufferers persevere, going to work, school and social engagements as if
nothing is wrong. Many don’t feel like it would be acceptable to call in
sick or change plans because of their allergies."
The survey of allergy sufferers found that about half (48 percent) feel
their spouse or significant other does not view their allergies to be a
serious health condition. Sufferers also perceive others as not taking
their allergies that seriously, saying their relatives (81 percent),
friends (86 percent) and co-workers (78 percent) view their allergies as a
somewhat serious or not serious health condition. Even their physicians,
they say, are ambivalent. The survey of allergy sufferers found that nearly
three quarters (74 percent) believe that their doctor views their allergies
as a somewhat serious or not serious health condition.
But clearly, that’s not the case. According to the survey of physicians
who treat allergies, a majority of physicians (84 percent) said in general,
patients do not overstate allergy symptoms. In addition, most physicians
view insomnia (83 percent) and osteoarthritis (69 percent) as being less
serious or equally as serious as allergies. Physicians report they view
diabetes (90 percent) and hypertension (84 percent) as being more serious
than allergies.
"Societal ambivalence toward allergies has impacted the management of
the disease," said David Lang, M.D., Section Head Allergy/Immunology
Buy viagra without prescription Respiratory Institute at Cleveland Clinic. "It’s true that allergies aren’t
life threatening, but they are quality of life-threatening on both physical
and emotional levels."
According to the survey of allergy sufferers, only about a third (34
percent) go to see a doctor for treatment when their symptoms are bothering
them.
"It’s absolutely crucial for allergy sufferers to begin a dialogue with
their physicians so that, together, they can address and overcome the
barriers keeping them from finding effective relief," said Jennifer
Derebery, M.D., clinical professor of otolaryngology at the Keck School of
Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
The survey of allergy sufferers also shed new light on the often hidden
emotional impact of allergy symptoms. According to the survey, six in 10
sufferers (62 percent) report that their symptoms impact their mood. The
sufferer survey also found that when experiencing symptoms about half (51
percent) say they feel annoyed; forty-eight percent say they feel irritable
(48 percent); forty-two percent say they feel frustrated. And, two in 10
(22 percent) report that their allergy symptoms make them feel less
attractive; nineteen percent feel self-conscious (19 percent).
"We need to empower people with allergies to speak up and treat their
allergies as what they are — a medical condition that can have difficult
and sometimes debilitating effects," said Mike Tringale, director of
external affairs, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA). "Allergy
sufferers should feel comfortable talking about their symptoms with their
family, friends and healthcare providers."
For complete survey results, please visit
About Allergic Rhinitis
Allergic rhinitis affects more than 50 million people in the United
States(1)(2) and accounts for more than 14 million physician office visits
each year.(3) It is one of the most costly chronic illnesses in the United
States(4) and is estimated to cause 100 million days of lost work per
year.(5)
There are two forms of allergic rhinitis: seasonal and perennial.
Seasonal allergic rhinitis (often referred to as "hay-fever") occurs only
during certain times of the year and is commonly caused by allergies to
tree, grass and weed pollen. Perennial allergic rhinitis can occur
throughout the year and is caused by frequent exposure to allergens such as
animal dander, indoor mold spores or house dust mites.(6)
Allergic rhinitis results when the immune system comes in contact with
an allergen, such as dust mites, animal dander or pollen, and mistakenly
identifies it as an intruder.(7) An allergic reaction results, involving
the body’s release of various inflammatory mediators, such as histamine and
leukotrienes, as a defense against the allergens, causing allergy symptoms
such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and itching of the palate,
eyes and nose.(8)
About the Attitudes About Allergies Steering Committee
Guidance to the development of the survey was provided by the Attitudes
About Allergies Steering Committee including Belinda Borelli, PhD,
associate professor, department of psychiatry and human behavior, Brown
Medical School and The Miriam Hospital; Jennifer Derebery, M.D., clinical
professor of otolaryngology at the Keck School of Medicine, University of
Southern California, Los Angeles; David Lang, M.D., Section Head
Allergy/Immunology Respiratory Institute at Cleveland Clinic; and Mike
Tringale, director of external affairs, Allergy & Asthma Foundation of
America.
About the Attitudes About Allergies: Omnibus Survey
This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Schering-
Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals and is based on telephone interviews conducted
January 10 - 20, 2008 with 1,007 adults 18 years or older throughout the
United States including 551 with indoor or outdoor allergies and 454
without indoor or outdoor allergies. Two adults reported they did not know
if they had either indoor or outdoor allergies and were excluded from the
results. All telephone interviewing was conducted using random digit
dialing (RDD) methodology. The data are weighted to be representative of
U.S. adults 18 years of age or older. The sampling error for this survey is
plus or minus 3.2 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
About the Attitudes About Allergies: Allergy Sufferer Survey
This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Schering-
Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals and is based on telephone interviews conducted
January 8 - 23, 2008, with 1,006 adults 18 years or older throughout the
United States who suffer from indoor or outdoor allergies. All telephone
interviewing was conducted using random digit dialing (RDD) methodology.
The data are weighted to be representative of U.S. adults 18 years of age
or older who have indoor or outdoor allergies. The sampling error for this
survey is plus or minus 3.2 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence
level.
About the Attitudes About Allergies: Physician Survey
This survey was conducted by Harris Interactive on behalf of Schering-
Plough/MERCK Pharmaceuticals and is based on telephone interviews conducted
January 8 - February 1, 2008, with 302 physicians who treat patients with
allergic rhinitis. The physician sample included 102 primary care
physicians, 100 allergists, and 100 otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and
throat specialists). The total sample of physicians was weighted to be
representative of the population of physicians in the U.S. who treat
patients with allergic rhinitis. The sampling error for this survey is plus
or minus 5.8 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
About Harris Interactive(R)
Harris Interactive is one of the largest and fastest-growing market
research firms in the world. The company provides innovative research,
insights and strategic advice to help its clients make more confident
decisions which lead to measurable and enduring improvements in
performance. Harris Interactive is widely known for The Harris Poll(R), one
of the longest running, independent opinion polls, and for pioneering
online market research methods. The company has built what it believes to
be the world’s largest panel of survey respondents, the Harris Poll Online.
Harris Interactive serves clients worldwide through its North American,
European and Asian offices, and through a global network of independent
market research firms. More information about Harris Interactive may be
obtained at
References:
1 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Topic of the Month:
March 2007: Spring & Allergic Rhinitis. Available at
Accessed August 1,
2007.
2 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Tips to Remember:
Rhinitis. Available at
Accessed
August 1, 2007.
3 CDC. National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey: 2004 Emergency
Department Summary.
4 Goetzel R, et al. Health, absence, disability, and presenteeism cost
estimates of certain physical and mental health conditions affecting
U.S. employers. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
2004;46:398-412.
5 Bellanti JA, Wallerstedt DB. Allergic rhinitis update: epidemiology and
natural history. Allergy Asthma Proc 2000;21:367-370.
6 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Tips to Remember:
Rhinitis. Available at
Accessed
July 25, 2007
7 American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology Tips to Remember:
Rhinitis. Available at
Accessed
July 25, 2007
Schering-Plough
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