Otolaryngology, Respiratory, and Allergic
Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis
May 2002
Clinical Focus*
- How does one diagnose allergic and nonallergic rhinitis? What differentiates allergic from nonallergic rhinitis with respect to symptoms, signs, physical examinations, and diagnostic testing? What is the minimum level of testing necessary to differentiate allergic from nonallergic rhinitis?
- Is differentiating allergic from nonallergic rhinitis important? Are treatments different? Are outcomes different?
- How does one treat nonallergic and allergic rhinitis?
- For nonallergic, what is the efficacy of antihistamines versus placebo? Nasal corticosteroids versus placebo? Sympathomimetics versus placebo? Leukotriene modifiers versus placebo? Anticholinergics versus placebo? Chromaglycate versus placebo? What are the side effects/adverse events due to drug treatments?
- For allergic, seasonal rhinitis, what is the efficacy of antihistamines versus nasal corticosteroids? Antihistamines versus immunotherapy? Nasal steroids versus immunotherapy? Sedating versus nonsedating antihistamines? Other agents? What are the side effects/adverse events due to drug treatments? How do efficacy and side effects of treatments vary by severity of rhinitis, patient chracteristics?
- How does the treatment of allergic rhinitis impact on the development of asthma? What is the likelihood of developing asthma with untreated allergic rhinitis?
- How does the treatment of allergic rhinitis affect the likelihood of developing asthma?
- How does treatment of allergic rhinitis affect the likelihood of developing bacterial sinusitis?
*Addressed in the summary or evidence report.
Management of Allergic and Nonallergic Rhinitis
Summary (Publication No. 02-E023, May 2002)
Evidence Report (Publication No. 02-E024, May 2002)
(PDF Files; File Download)
EPC: New England Medical Center
Topic Nominator: American Academy of Family Physicians
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