@article {Meltzer:October 1999:1081-1206:311,
	author = "Meltzer, Eli O.",
	author = "Casale, Thomas B.",
	author = "Nathan, Robert A.",
	author = "Thompson, Ann K.",
	title = "Once-daily fexofenadine HCl improves quality of life and reduces work and activity impairment in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis",
	journal = "Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology",
	volume = "83",
	year = "October 1999",
	abstract = "<B>Background:</B> Fexofenadine HCl (Allegra, Telfast) is approved in the US for twice-daily dosing for treatment of seasonal allergic rhinitis.<P></P> <B>Objective:</B> To determine the effect of once-daily fexofenadine HCl on patient-reported quality of life and impairment at work, in the classroom, and in daily activities due to seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms.<P></P> <B>Methods:</B> This placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized study included patients aged 12 to 65 years with moderate-to-severe seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms. Outcomes were assessed using self-administered questionnaires at baseline, week 1, and week 2. Outcome measures included change from baseline in: overall Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) score; individual RQLQ domain scores; work, classroom, and daily activity impairment measured using the Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI) instrument; and ratings in 3 generic health domains from the SF-36 Health Survey.<P></P> <B>Results:</B> Intent to treat efficacy analyses included 845 patients from 40 sites. Patients receiving either 120 or 180 mg QD fexofenadine HCl reported significantly greater improvement (<I>P</I> &#8804; .006) in overall RQLQ score than patients receiving placebo. Similarly, both fexofenadine treatment groups reported significantly greater reductions in overall work impairment and daily activity impairment compared with the placebo group (<I>P</I> &#8804; .004). There was a trend for improvement in classroom impairment with fexofenadine treatment, although differences from placebo were not statistically significant. Generic health measures demonstrated fexofenadine HCl treatment had a positive effect on general health.<P></P> <B>Conclusion:</B> Once-daily fexofenadine HCl, 120 or 180 mg, significantly improved patient-reported quality of life and reduced performance impairment in work and daily activities due to seasonal allergic rhinitis symptoms compared with placebo.<P></P> Annals of Allergy, Asthma, &#38; Immunology 1999;83:311-317.",
	pages = "311-317(7)",
	url = "http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/acaai/aaai/1999/00000083/00000004/art00008"
}