Abstract:
The purpose of this descriptive research was to describe symptom experience,
management strategies and outcomes for patients with allergic rhinitis. The model of
symptom management revised by Dodd, et al. (2001) was applied as the conceptual
framework of the study. The participants included 200 adults with allergic rhinitis
from the Otolaryngology Outpatient Department, Ramathibodi Hospital, from April to
August, 2003. A structured interview was used to collect the data which was analyzed
with descriptive statistics.
The results revealed that the majority of adults with allergic rhinitis experienced
sneezing, nasal obstruction, rhinorrhea, post nasal drip and itching. Most of the
participants perceived none severity yet this interfered with their daily lives. All
participants were able to seek knowledge on allergic rhinitis by themselves. The
majority acquired the knowledge from health professionals with respect to medication
and dust avoidance whereas the others used medication for symptom management.
The most common type of medication applied was antihistamines whilst
corticosteroids were used with severe nasal symptoms.
The effective symptom management strategies for self-care management were
health-risk management, exercise, and nutrition-intake management. Most of the
participants evaluated the outcomes as improved. The total mean for allergic rhinitis
management cost per person per month was Baht 777.12.
The results of this study should be useful for health professionals in providing
curative advice to patients with allergic rhinitis to promote effective self-care
management and to reduce the symptoms efficiently