Rhinitis in Pregnancy among Saudi Women

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Rhinitis is common in Saud Arabia. Therefore, our study was designed to evaluate the prevalence, triggering factors, severity and progression of pregnancy rhinitis. METHODS: Prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in multiple medical centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during June and July 2014. It used an Arabic language self-administered questionnaire on a sample of 260 pregnant women. Random sampling was done on Saudi pregnant ladies whom visiting antenatal clinics in 8 governmental and private medical centers. RESULTS: The reported rhinitis during pregnancy in our study was 31.2% (CI 25.6%-37.2%). Symptoms arising in first trimester appeared in 79.2% of pregnancy rhinitis (PR) cases and mostly go worsen. The most prevalent symptoms were nasal pruritus, followed by sneezing, congestion, and post nasal drip. The major triggering factor was dust, followed by Tobacco/Shisha smoke and perfume. Preexisting allergic diseases were markedly associated with developing pregnancy rhinitis. CONCLUSION: Rhinitis during pregnancy manifested in one third of Saudi pregnant ladies. Nasal pruritus was the most common symptom and dust was the widespread triggering factor.