Alergoprofil

ARIA 2024–2025 guideline update – intranasal therapies for allergic rhinitis

2026-07-23T17:36:33+02:00

Allergic rhinitis (AR) represents the most common manifestation of allergy, and epidemiological studies estimate the prevalence of this condition in Poland at 14–22%. The clinical presentation of AR includes runny nose, nasal itching, nasal congestion, and sneezing attacks following exposure to an allergen. Allergic conjunctivitis or allergic bronchial asthma often coexist with AR, and viral infections, among others, should be considered in the differential diagnosis. The latest update of the ARIA 2024–2025 standards for nasal therapies introduced a number of innovative recommendations focused on patient needs and behaviors, based on analyses of therapy’s effectiveness, safety, and acceptability, using databases describing patient behavior in daily clinical practice. The authors of the ARIA standards highly value the combination of an intranasal glucocorticosteroid (INCS) with an intranasal antihistamine (INAH) in the pharmacotherapy standards for AR. INCS (with fluticasone as the preferred molecule) remain the cornerstone of treatment for allergic rhinitis – they are effective, safe, usually cheaper, and better accepted. The advantage of INAH is a faster onset of action, but a strong recommendation only applies to the use of this group of drugs as monotherapy, compared to no treatment. Fixed combinations of INAH and INCS (especially azelastine-fluticasone) offer rapid and often better control and higher patient satisfaction. Therefore, this treatment is preferred over INCS or INAH monotherapy in many clinical situations (especially those with high symptom burden), at an acceptable cost. Administration technique and adherence determine the success of therapy, and patient education is an essential element of daily practice.

Allergic rhinitis – the silent thief of life. Alergologist point of view

2026-07-23T08:31:27+02:00

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases, affecting up to 20–30% of the population in developed countries. The disease significantly reduces patients’ quality of life, impacts sleep, concentration, work and learning performance, and is closely associated with bronchial asthma. The contemporary approach to AR is based on the one airway concept, according to which the inflammatory process involves both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

Allergic rhinitis – the silent thief of life. Psychiatrist's point of view

2026-07-23T08:31:42+02:00

Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects approximately 9 million individuals in Poland. Metaanalyses indicate that patients with AR have a significantly higher risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms compared to the general population. AR is associated with sleep disturbances, depressed mood, chronic fatigue, suicidal ideation, and problem with concentration. Recently, the issue of sexual dysfunction in AR patients has also been raised. Patients with AR and comorbid psychiatric disorders demonstrate poorer adherence, and distinguishing between primary depression and depression secondary to AR is a diagnostic challenge. An interdisciplinary approach is recommended; however, when psychiatric disorders are secondary to AR, the treatment of AR should be prioritized. Psychiatric disorders in AR patients are well-documented both clinically and epidemiologically. In clinical practice, clinicians should inquire about sleep and sexual function – domains often neglected in standard history-taking. Effective AR treatment reduces the risk of psychiatric disorders and improves patients’ quality of life.

Variability in pollen concentration of twenty arboreal and herbaceous taxa in Warsaw, Poland (2023)

2026-07-22T17:48:32+02:00

Twenty pollen taxa were characterized based on the Hirst-type in-situ measurements in 2023 in Warsaw, Poland: Corylus (hazel), Alnus (alder), Populus (poplar), Ulmus (elm), Salix (willow), Carpinus (hornbeam), Acer (maple), Fagus (beech), Betula (birch), Fraxinus (ash), Taxus/Cupressaceae (yew), Quercus (oak), Pinaceae (pine/spruce), Poaceae (grass), Rumex (sorrel), Plantago (plantain), Urtica (nettle), Chenopodiacea (blite), Artemisia (mugwort), and Ambrosia (ragweed). Pollen season for each taxa was defined using the 98 percent method. The characteristics of pollen season, including start date, end date, the day of the peak concentration, and its value, were described for each taxon. An additional focus was dedicated to hazel, birch, grass, and ragweed, as one of the most allergenic pollen in Poland. The number of days in 2023 when the susceptible population could experience the first symptoms of the allergy we evaluated based on the concentration thresholds for the taxa. The obtained results indicated that during the respective pollen season, people allergic to birch, grass, hazel and ragweed, were exposed to concentrations above the threshold capable of triggering the first symptoms of rhinitis on approximately 80%, 38%, 13%, and 8% of the days, respectively.