Redefining Pregnancy-Induced Rhinitis

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Otolaryngology
• Allergy and Immunology

Background:

• Pregnancy-induced rhinitis (PIR) is a distinct condition characterized by nasal symptoms arising during pregnancy and resolving postpartum.
• It is a form of non-allergic rhinitis not present before gestation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of PIR.
• To characterize the symptoms, duration, and impact on quality of life associated with PIR.
• To investigate the relationship between PIR and pre-existing sinonasal diseases.

Main Methods:

• An ambidirectional longitudinal cohort study involving 681 pregnant women.
• Questionnaires administered postpartum to assess nasal symptoms.
• Interviews conducted 30 days later for women with symptoms to record duration and quality.

Main Results:

• PIR prevalence was 31.86%.
• Nasal obstruction was the most frequent symptom, followed by rhinorrhea and sneezing.
• PIR negatively impacted the quality of life for 53.9% of affected women, with a median symptom duration of 4 months.
• PIR was more common in women carrying female fetuses and could influence pre-existing sinonasal conditions.

Conclusions:

• Pregnancy-induced rhinitis is a common condition with diverse symptoms significantly affecting maternal quality of life.
• A new definition for PIR is proposed based on these findings.
• PIR warrants recognition as a distinct clinical entity during pregnancy.