Non-allergic rhinitis

Depending on the studies, cross-sectional surveys have found that the prevalence of allergic rhinitis ranges between 43% and 83%, whereas the prevalence of NAR ranges between 17% and 52%.[5]Settipane RA. Demographics and epidemiology of allergic and nonallergic rhinitis. Allergy Asthma Proc. 2001 Jul-Aug;22(4):185-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11552666?tool=bestpractice.com [6]Settipane RA, Lieberman P. Update on nonallergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2001;86:494-508. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11379801?tool=bestpractice.com allergic rhinitis is estimated to affect 20-40 million people annually in the US but is probably an underestimation, as it is based on questions referring to the subset of cases defined as seasonal allergic rhinitis. Large population studies have yet to be conducted to determine the true prevalence or incidence of NAR or perennial allergic rhinitis. NAR has been estimated to affect 17 million Americans annually. Further complicating these data, the National Rhinitis Classification Task Force evaluated 975 patients with chronic rhinitis and found that 34% met the criteria for mixed rhinitis (MR), which indicates the presence of both an allergic and non-allergic component.[6]Settipane RA, Lieberman P. Update on nonallergic rhinitis. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2001;86:494-508. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11379801?tool=bestpractice.com Prevalence in children is unknown but is probably under-diagnosed due to the difficulty of children recognising and communicating signs and symptoms. There is very little demographic information regarding the prevalence of NAR or MR in other parts of the world or among sub-populations within the US.