Effects of seasonal allergic rhinitis on fatigue levels and mood.

OBJECTIVE

Many allergy patients complain of fatigue, moodiness, and dysphoria during their allergy seasons. This study evaluated the effect of symptomatic allergic rhinitis on both fatigue level and mood.

METHODS

Symptomatic ragweed allergic rhinitis patients on no medications and healthy control subjects completed the Multi-Dimensional Fatigue Inventory and the Positive Affect-Negative Affect mood rating scales in an in-out-in ragweed season research design.

RESULTS

During ragweed seasons, allergic patients reported higher levels of general fatigue and mental fatigue, but not physical fatigue, as well as reduced motivation. Patients described experiencing feelings of greater sadness and reduced pleasurable engagement. Increased anxiety or emotional distress was not reported.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that having allergic reactions to ragweed pollen causes significant fatigue and mood changes in at least a subgroup of patients. Psychoneuroimmunology and medical genetics research suggests that allergic reactions engender biochemical changes that directly affect the central nervous system.