A Survey on the Clinical Activity Related with Viral Rhinitis among the Otolaryngic Private Practitioners

Jang, Yong Ju; Chung, You Sam; Lee, Bong Jae

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Viral rhinitis has been considered as an important part in the clinical activity of the ENT specialists in private practice. However, the estimate of how big a proportion the viral rhinitis has and how it is being treated in otolaryngic private practitioners has not been published yet. Thus we aimed to investigate these issues in this study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Four hundred ENT specialists privately practicing in Seoul, Gyeongki, and Choongcheong area were selected. Questionnaire pertaining to the proportion of viral rhinitis patient on their practice and their way of treatment was mailed to the selected doctors.
RESULTS
The patients presenting with viral rhinitis symptom constitutes 38.9% of their patient population on the average. Most patients with viral rhinitis visited ENT specialists within 7 day after onset of rhinitis symptom. The mean duration of prescription for the patients not having complication was 4.3 days. The most frequently prescribed medication for viral rhinitis was first generation antihistamine, systemic decongestants, nebulization, and NSAID in order of frequency. The most annoying symptom for the viral rhinitis patients was nasal obstruction.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study indicate that viral rhinitis takes an important position in the otolaryngic private practice.