Eosinophilic Nonallergic Rhinitis: Clinical Characteristics and Efficacy of Nasal Steroids

Lee, Bong Jae; Lee, Si Hyung; Kim, Jae Ho; Kim, Yong Jae; Park, Hyo Jin

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although eosinophilic nonallergic rhinitis (ENR) is a well recognized entity, its clinical features and the response to the treatment have not been definitively elucidated. Authors aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of ENR and the response to the nasal steroids. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A prospective study was conducted for 59 patients diagnosed as ENR at the department of Center between 1994 and 2001. Diagnostic criteria include rhinitis symptoms lasting more than 3 months, nasal eosinophilia, and negative results for allergic skin test or MAST. Patients were treated with nasal steroids for three weeks and compared the pre-treatment and post-treatment symptom scores.
RESULTS
Of 59 patients, 25 were males and 34 females. Their age ranged from 6 to 67 years (average : 35 years). Nasal obstruction was most frequently complained by the patients, followed by rhinorrhea, and sneezing. The percentage of nasal secretion eosinophils ranged from 10 to 100% with a mean of 71%. Treatment with topical steroids was effective in 53 patients (90%) to relieve symptoms.
CONCLUSION
Unlike allergic rhinitis, ENR commonly develops in the adults with an average age of 31 years. Topical steroid is effective in 90% of patients to relieve rhinitic symptoms. Differential diagnosis of chronic rhinitis using allergic skin test and nasal secretion eosinophils is needed for the adequate treatment.