Rhinorrhoea in the elderly

Abstract

The ageing population has various medical problems, ranging from relatively minor to truly severe. The ageing process includes physiological changes that can also aggravate sinonasal problems such as rhinorrhoea. As one of the most troublesome condition of this population, the causes of rhinorrhea can be classified as "age related, medication induced, secondary to rhinitis and other causes (tumour, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, etc.)". The underlying aetiology should be meticulously investigated. Although common conditions such as "allergic or infectious rhinitis" are relatively easy to diagnose and threat, more serious causes such as "primary spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea" are hard to manage. The treatment options should be individualised to the patient according to his or her metabolic, cardiac and central nervous system status. Rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment of the pathology would not only increase the quality of life but also decrease morbidity and mortality of this population. As a conclusion, rhinorrhoea in the elderly is an important condition that should not be overlooked.

Rhinitis 2020: A practice parameter update

“…573,574 On the other hand, aging is also associated with reduced body water content and less effective nasal mucociliary clearance, leading, at times, to thicker mucous secretions, increased postnasal drip, and potentially, to increased respiratory infections. [575][576][577][578] Structural changes due to aging can also reduce nasal cartilage elasticity and tip support that can further interfere with nasal airflow. 578 Age-related reduced blood flow to the nasal mucosa, basement membrane thickening, and epithelial atrophy have also been described.…”

Pharmacological Management of Allergic Rhinitis in the Elderly

“…This treatment is occasionally used in elderly patients with allergic rhinitis and persistent rhinorrhea, with good tolerance and no adverse systemic events, but is more frequently used in non-allergic rhinitis [21, 53]. …”

Rhinorrhea: Symptom of Many Diseases!

“…инорея снижает качество жизни пациентов, препятствуя нормальной ежедневной деятельности, вызывая раздражительность при определенных обстоятельствах, нарушает сон. По данным Ciftci Z. и др., основные причины ринореи могут быть классифицированы в четыре основные группы [1]: ■ ринорея, связанная с ринитом; ■ ринорея, возникшая по другим причинам (повреждение в носовой полости, аутоиммунные заболевания, истечение цереброспинальной жидкости); ■ ринорея, вызванная приемом лекарственных препаратов; ■ ринорея пожилых людей.…”

“…Такая высокая распространенность характерна для сезонного аллергического ринита, процент встречаемости кругло-БРОНХОПУЛЬМОНОЛОГИЯ, ЛОР годичного аллергического ринита ниже и составляет до 13% [3]. Аллергический ринит считается преимущественно заболеванием молодого возраста [4], однако данное заболевание встречается и среди пожилых людей [1]. Фактически аллергический ринит наблюдается у 10,7% лиц в возрасте от 45 до 64 лет, у 7,8% в возрасте от 65 до 75 лет и у 5,4% пациентов старше 75 лет [5].…”