Key Points
ÎRhinitis is characterized ≥ 1 of the following nasal symptoms1
:
> Congestion > Rhinorrhea (anterior and posterior) > Sneezing > Itching
ÎRhinitis is usually associated with inflammation, but some forms of rhinitis such as vasomotor rhinitis or atrophic rhinitis are not predominantly inflammatory.1
ÎRhinitis frequently is accompanied by symptoms involving the eyes, ears, and throat.1
ÎRhinitis is a significant cause of widespread morbidity, medical treatment costs, reduced work productivity, and lost school days.1
ÎAlthough sometimes mistakenly viewed as a trivial disease, symptoms of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis may significantly affect a patient's quality of life and can be associated with conditions such as fatigue, headache, cognitive impairment, and sleep disturbance.1
ÎAppropriate management of rhinitis may be an important component in effective management of coexisting or complicating respiratory conditions, such as asthma, sinusitis, and sleep apnea.1
ÎThe financial burden to society for allergic rhinitis is substantial and results from both direct costs and indirect costs (including loss of productivity).1
ÎAllergic rhinitis affects between 10% and 30% of all adults and as many as 40% of children.1
> In most studies, the ratio of allergic to pure nonallergic rhinitis is 3:1.1 > Preliminary data suggest that 44% to 87% of patients with rhinitis may have mixed rhinitis, a combination of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis.1
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