ScienceDaily (Oct. 5, 2009) — A comparison of symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis (AR) and non-allergic rhinitis (NAR) revealed that those with the NAR experienced worse symptoms. The findings are according to new research presented at the 2009 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF) Annual Meeting & OTO EXPO, in San Diego, CA.

The study assessed 78 patients with AR and 31 patients with non-allergic rhinitis (NAR), measuring quality of life (QOL) in both groups using a common questionnaire. To the surprise of the authors, NAR patients experienced a significantly higher symptom severity than their peers with AR, including having their regular and recreational activities affected, disrupted sleep, tiredness, and watery eyes.

The study's authors believe that that many patients with allergy-type symptoms may have other, as-yet-undetermined causes of their symptoms, and that further research is warranted.

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Adapted from materials provided by American Academy of Otolaryngology -- Head and Neck Surgery, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

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