Contemporary Views on Rhinitis

Overview

The authors summarize contemporary knowledge of rhinitis. As a basis they use theinternational consensus on rhinitis of 1994. Rhinitis is at present a topic from the aspect ofrhinologists as well as from the aspect of pneumologists. The authors present a definition of rhinitis,some epidemiological data, classification of rhinitis, the clinical picture. Recent findings pertain tomycotic infection and some possibilities of examination. In the differential diagnosis of rhinosinusitis a number of diseases have to be considered. The authors summarize briefly the findings ontreatment of rhinitis, the relationship of the upper and lower airways and quality of life of patientssuffering from rhinitis. In the conclusion they mention the most important not quite resolvedproblems in rhinology. At present more information on the epidemiology of rhinitis is lacking, it isimportant to improve the diagnosis, to classify rhinitis. Suggestions for therapeutic patterns inrhinosinusitis are lacking and the relationship of the upper and lower airways in diseases of therespiratory tract is not quite clear.

Key words:
rhinitis, definition of rhinitis, classification of rhinitis.