Frequent Use of AR-Relieving Medications Linked to Improved Educational Outcomes in Danish Students

A large-scale, real-world register study conducted in Denmark has found that while allergic rhinitis (AR) does not appear to significantly affect educational performance, increased use of AR-relieving medications, particularly allergy immunotherapy (AIT), is associated with improved academic outcomes.

The study involved 52,808 individuals diagnosed with AR before the age of 13, born between 1986 and 2006, with their final 9th-grade examination grades observed. 

The participants were divided into groups based on their use of AR-relieving medications, and their academic performance was compared to that of siblings without a history of AR to estimate the impact of the condition.

Key findings include:

•    Students who did not fill prescriptions for AR-relieving medications during their final examination year had an average grade of 7.09.

•    Students who had filled at least one prescription for AR-relieving medication had better grades, with those on AIT achieving an average improvement of 0.60 points.

•    When compared to their siblings, students with AR had a slightly higher average grade of 7.29, while their siblings had an average grade of 7.25.

This study concludes that AR, by itself, does not negatively impact educational outcomes, but consistent use of AR-relieving treatments such as AIT can lead to improved academic performance, suggesting the importance of managing AR symptoms for optimal student success.