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Chronic nonallergic rhinitis

INTRODUCTION

Chronic nonallergic rhinitis is not a specific disease, but rather a syndrome established by the process of excluding other disorders. The lack of clarity regarding the pathogenesis of this condition has led to an imprecise terminology and a number of synonyms used to refer to this entity. These include:

  • Vasomotor rhinitis
  • Idiopathic rhinitis
  • Nonallergic-noninfectious rhinitis
  • Intrinsic rhinitis

The pathogenesis, incidence, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and treatment of chronic nonallergic rhinitis are presented in this topic review. Allergic rhinitis and atrophic rhinitis are presented separately. (See "Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis" and "Clinical manifestations and epidemiology of allergic rhinitis (rhinosinusitis)" and "Diagnosis of allergic rhinitis (rhinosinusitis)" and "Atrophic rhinosinusitis".)

DEFINITION

Nonallergic rhinitis is best defined by the chronic presence of one or more of the four following cardinal symptoms of rhinitis, in the absence of a specific etiology (such as an immunologic, infectious, pharmacologic, structural, hormonal, vasculitic, metabolic, or atrophic cause):

  • Sneezing
  • Rhinorrhea
  • Nasal congestion
  • Postnasal drainage
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