1. Background and purpose
In the United States and Europe, clinical practice guidelines have been developed very actively and systematically, and in recent years, efforts have been made not only to develop clinical practice guidelines, but also to spread and implement them. Clinical practice guidelines are an effective means of changing the course of health care services and contribute to improving health outcomes.
In Korea, since the mid 1990s, it has been influenced by the global trend, and the Korean Medical Association has become interested in clinical practice guidelines. Since 2000, the development of clinical practice guidelines has been activated. However, due to the insu cient budget and manpower, the guidelines were often developed by collecting opinions from experts or modifying foreign clinical practice guidelines rather than evidence–based clinical practice guidelines. In recent years, as the awareness of ‘evidence-based
medicine’ has spread, interest in clinical practice guidelines has also increased.
Allergic rhinitis is an immune reaction caused by antigen-specific IgE that causes inflammation of the nasal mucosa and causes symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, itching, and pain. Recently, environmental pollution and westernization of lifestyle have been associated with high prevalence of allergic rhinitis. the majority of patients with rhinitis prefer to be treated with western medicine, but the western treatment is only a symptomatic treatment and cause various side effects. So, symptoms were not
improved greatly and Allergic rhinitis symptoms often recur. Because of these limitations, the number of patients who have recently been treated with korean medicine is gradually increasing.
In view of the steady rise in treatment costs and the promotion of public health, it is necessary to develop economical, safe and effective treatments and clinical practice guidelines. the development of clinical practice guidelines encourage proven therapies to be recommended, in effective therapies to be avoided. Also, it contributes to maintaining consistency of treatment and improving the quality of life and health of patients.
this guideline is intended for adult patients with allergic rhinitis. the de nition, disease, pathology, diagnosis, treatment, care and prevention of allergic rhinitis were presented so that individual medical staff could help medical personnel make decisions in certain situations. In Korea, Korean Medicine doctors who treat patients with allergic rhinitis will be the main users, and all medical staff dealing with allergic rhinitis from primary to tertiary medical staff will be targeted. the primary health setting in which this clinical practice guidance is used will be the primary medical institution and may also be used in secondary and tertiary medical institutions for more accurate identi cation diagnosis and management.
2. Overview of disease
Allergic rhinitis is an immediate allergic response caused by the release of chemical mediators as a result of IgE binding to antigens on the surface of mast cells in the nasal mucosa. Per disease classi cation, the condition is categorized as, “allergic rhinitis caused by pollen(J301),” “other seasonal allergic rhinitis(J302),” “other allergic rhinitis(J303),” and “allergic rhinitis of unknown cause(J304).” the three main symptoms of allergic rhinitis are watery nasal discharge, sneezing, and nasal congestion; allergic rhinitis is suspected if two or more of these symptoms are present. In addition, symptoms such as itchy nose, loss of smell, headache, and hearing impairment can also manifest.
