A STUDY OF CLINICAL AND ALLERGIC ASPECTS OF RHINITIS PATIENTS IN RIYADH

Eighty consecutive patients presenting with variable nasal symptoms we re investigated. Fifty-three (66.25%) were identified as allergic and 27 (33.5%) as having nonallergic rhinitis. Medical history and clinica l examination alone seemed to be inadequate in establishing a diagnosi s, since the main complaints, i.e., nasal itching, sneezing and runny nose, occurred with the same frequency in both groups. However, altern ating nasal blockage and sneezing were more prominent in the allergic group (80.40%), while perennial symptoms were more evident in the nona llergic group (68%). There were no striking differences between the tw o groups in the occurrence of nasal septal deviation or in evidence of nasal polyps. In the allergic groups, sensitivities to indoor allerge ns, i.e., cockroaches, cat fur, house dust, as well as to pollens, wer e very prominent. Among the nonspecific provoking factors, dust, stron g smells, smoke and stress seem to he important.