Perennial nonallergic rhinitis: a retrospective review

Forty-six of 152 consecutive adult rhinitis patients had perennial nonallergic rhinitis (PNR). Eighty-five percent of those with PNR presented with nasal congestion, whereas 15% presented with rhinorrhea. Their mean age was 40.5 years (range = 21-77), and 74% were female. Patients with perennial nonallergic rhinitis in this series were characterized by ocular pruritus or burning, 28%; frontal headache, 22%; symptoms consistent with asthma, 33%; an unremarkable nasal mucosa, 96%; the absence of nasal polyps, 100%; nasal eosinophilia (greater than or equal to 5%), 10%; nasal neutrophilia (greater than or equal to 25%), 22%; numerous nasal bacteria, 12%; sinusitis, 6%; and a geometric mean IgE of 26.4 U/mL. This experience suggests that PNR is a common problem in a general allergy practice. Nasal obstruction, usually more difficult to treat than rhinorrhea, is the dominant symptom. Unexpected findings were frequent conjunctivitis and nasal neutrophilia.