ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although tobacco smoking is of great concern, there is no evidence for the effects of smoking on quality of life (QoL) results after sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). OBJECTIVE: This study aims tο explore any association between smoking habits (duration and quantity) and QoL results after SLIT in allergic rhinitis (AR). METHODOLOGY: One hundred and sixty three patients following SLIT for AR were participated. SLIT efficacy related to smoking was prospectively evaluated by means of validated widely used QoL questionnaires, either for assessing psychology (Zung Anxiety Scale, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, Zung Depression Scale and Beck Depression Inventory) or generic (Short Form-36) ones, pre- and immediately upon cessation of SLIT. Smoking habits were expressed in pack-years. RESULTS: Significant improvement of total symptoms score (T5SS) and of all QoL questionnaires' results were observed in our patients' group, both for smokers and non smokers. The comparison of changes between smokers and non smokers, controlling for the effect of all patients' characteristics, showed that there was no significant differences on improvement values. Additionally multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the effect of pack-years on the QoL scales was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that smoking habits (quantity of daily smoking and duration) do not influence the success of SLIT with regards to QoL outcomes.
