Allergic rhinitis is one of the world's most common chronic diseases with over 600 million people affected across the globe. Now, thanks to the cooperative efforts of GA2LEN, Global Allergy and Asthma European Network, new guidelines have been drafted on the diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis.

Allergy and asthma are Europe's most common chronic diseases and unfortunately they are becoming even more common. Statistics are already showing that up to one child in three is affected, and if current trends continue, by 2015 half of all Europeans may be suffering from an allergy. This is why the EU has funded the creation of GA2LEN. This network covers all aspects of asthma and allergy including its genetic basis, clinical treatment, environmental aspects, and social causes.

GA2LEN is a Network of Excellence and is funded by the European Union's Sixth Framework Programme for Research (FP6). FP6 has fully funded the network's €14.4 million bill. However, when funding runs out in February 2009, GA2LEN intends to be self-sustainable and is welcoming support from industry to help it stand on its own. Partner organisations and sponsors also currently contribute to the network activities.

Professor Jean Bousquet, GA2LEN Vice-President and Chairman of ARIA, Allergic Rhinitis and Its Impact on Asthma, stresses that 'neither allergic nor non-allergic rhinitis are trivial disorders. They significantly impair patients' daily quality of life, school and work performance. Moreover, people with allergic rhinitis have a greater risk to develop asthma and many patients with rhinitis already have asthma as well. Although patients come with a complaint about their nose, asthma too must be checked by the doctor.'

These guidelines, published in the August issue of the Allergy journal, complement GA2LEN's campaign 'Does rhinitis lead to asthma?', which was launched in 2007. Over 200 million people suffer from both asthma and allergy, unfortunately allergic rhinitis is generally under-diagnosed and under-treated. This is one reason why these guidelines are so important.

Dr Chris van Weel, from WONCA, commented: 'The majority of patients who seek medical advice are seen in primary care practices. General practitioners therefore have a central role to play in the adequate diagnosis and treatment of allergic rhinitis. These two short publications intend to support primary care physicians in their diagnosis and facilitate doctors' assessment of the disease and medication choices.' In the accompanying editorial, Dr van Weel further expands the case of the central role of primary care in the diagnosis, treatment and management of allergic rhinitis.

Based on current state-of-the-art research, the guidelines effectively review best practices worldwide. A unique proposal mentioned in the guidelines are practical questionnaires for history taking, which is at the core of diagnosis. They include advice on how to differentiate allergic rhinitis from other common diseases such as the common cold and non-allergic rhinitis.

Currently there is no cure for allergy and asthma which generates huge costs in terms of both health care and work days lost. According to the European Federation of Allergy and Airways Diseases Patients' Associations, asthma alone accounts for an estimated nine billion work days lost in the EU.

GA2LEN is named after the Roman physician, Galenus of Pergamon, who was the first to provide a written description of the relationship between the nose and the lungs. His theories dominated Western medical science for over a millennium. It is a multidisciplinary research platform which addresses all aspects of allergic diseases with the aim to reduce the burden of allergy and asthma and the 80 million Europeans with allergies. To achieve this, over 500 scientists, from 31 partner institutions have come together.

GA2LEN

Source: Community R&D Information Service (CORDIS)