Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common condition affecting between 15-25% of the general population; its symptoms significantly reduce quality of life and pose a high economic burden, including indirect costs related to lost school and workdays. 

Studies of people consulting general practitioners for AR found that 18–48% had symptoms uncontrolled by pharmacotherapy. Despite the bothersome nature of symptoms, AR is often trivialised by those with AR – only 45% seek medical advice or treatment, which results in under-treatment and poor symptom control. AR is strongly associated with an increased risk of developing asthma – approximately 20–30% of people with AR also have asthma. These persons tend to be sensitised to multiple allergens. Anybody with confirmed AR should be screened for asthma. Those with AR are more likely to have frequent asthma exacerbations and poorer symptom control than those with only asthma. People with both asthma and AR also frequently have more persistent and severe AR symptoms and therefore experience a greater loss of school and work productivity.