Psychological status of patients with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis.

There has been a tendency among some clinicians to underestimate the psychological problems of patients with rhinitis. This study assesses the psychological status of allergic rhinitis patients and the influence of type, duration, and severity of rhinitis on the psychiatric evaluation. Forty-one patients with seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis and 36 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. All patients and control subjects were studied through psychological interviews and several psychological tests such as Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), Courtauld Emotional Control Scale, the McMaster Family Assessment Device, and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. Statistically significant differences between patients and controls were observed in all subscales of the SCL-90, particularly in somatization, depression, and general symptom index subscales. Differences between groups were not significant for the other psychological tests. Additionally, differences between seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis patients were not significant in all questionnaires. Total symptom scores of rhinitis were positively correlated with general symptom index, somatization, interpersonal relationship difficulties subgroups of the SCL-90, whereas negatively correlated with the scores of satisfaction with the life scale. Patients with allergic rhinitis--regardless of type of rhinitis--may develop a group of psychological complaints related to symptom severity. Since the recognition of specific psychiatric disorders can have therapeutic importance, further studies focusing on the associations of these disorders and allergic rhinitis should be conducted.