Control of rhinitis: does the facial mask influence?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/issn.2454-5929.ijohns20222437Keywords:
Rhinitis, Facial mask, COVID-19, PandemicAbstract
Background: The aim of the study was to understand the impact of face masks usage during the COVID-19 pandemic on allergic rhinitis to pollens symptoms.
Methods: A total of 200 patients was included in this study, with 100 patients having a previous diagnosis of allergic rhinitis to pollens and 100 patients having a diagnosis of non-allergic rhinitis. All patients answered the Rhinitis control assessment test (RCAT) and were asked about symptom control after introduction of the mandatory use of face masks in public. Patients with a RCAT score of 22 or higher were considered to have symptomatic control.
Results: 78% (n=78) of patients with allergic rhinitis to pollens reported improvement of symptoms after starting to use a face mask, with a mean score of 24.78 points (SD±3.13) on the RCAT. Among non-allergic rhinitis patients, 10% (n=10) reported improvement of symptoms, with 50% reporting worsening of symptoms and with a mean RCAT score of 21.54 (SD±3.23). A statistically significant difference (p<0.01) was found between the RCAT scores, with the allergic rhinitis group showing higher scores and, thus, better symptom control.
Conclusions: The face mask appears to act as a barrier for patients with allergic rhinitis, helping improve symptomatic control, making this an option for an adjuvant treatment for allergic rhinitis to pollens.
References
Agnihotri NT, McGrath KG. Allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2019;40(6):376-9.
Ciprandi G. Treatment of nonallergic perennial rhinitis. Allergy. 2004;59:16-22.
Klimek L, Sperl A, Becker S, Mösges R, Tomazic PV. Current therapeutical strategies for allergic rhinitis. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2019;20(1):83-9.
Bernstein DI, Schwartz G, Bernstein JA. Allergic Rhinitis: Mechanisms and Treatment. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2016;36(2):261-78.
Lieberman PL, Smith P. Nonallergic Rhinitis: Treatment. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2016;36(2):305-19.
Sur DKC, Plesa ML. Chronic Nonallergic Rhinitis. Am Fam Physician. 2018;98(3):171-6.
Hellings PW, Klimek L, Cingi C, Agache I, Akdis C, Bachert C, et al. Non-allergic rhinitis: Position paper of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Allergy. 2017;72(11):1657-65.
Fernandes PH, Matsumoto F, Solé D, Wandalsen GF. Translation into Portuguese and validation of the Rhinitis Control Assessment Test (RCAT) questionnaire. Braz J Otorhinolaryngol. 2016;82(6):674-9.