Disease perception and social behaviour in persistent rhinitis:: a comparison between patients with allergic and nonallergic rhinitis

Background: Although the understanding of the pathophysiology and pharmacology of rhinitis has increased within recent years, few studies have examined the impact of rhinitis on patients' behaviour. Aim: To compare perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR) and perennial nonallergic rhinitis (PNR) in terms of patients' perception of their disease and its psychosocial concomitants. Methods: Thirty-one PAR patients and 32 PNR patients responded to a standard symptom list and were interviewed in-depth regarding their complaints and the impact of rhinitis on their daily lives. Results: PAR and PNR patients reported similar somatic and psychosocial complaints. In both disease groups the adverse effects of rhinitis were reported to be substantially limiting, particularly in social contacts, the impact appearing to be more severe in the women. Conclusion: Rhinitis has a severe impact on the daily lives of patients, women reporting more severe psychosocial effects. Disease perception and social adjustment appear to not depend appreciably on whether or not an objective diagnosis of rhinitis can be established.