Rhinosinusitis-Related Quality of Life during Pregnancy

Abstract

Rhinosinusitis-specific QOL is lower in the third trimester of pregnancy in comparison with the second trimester and also in comparison with nonrhinosinusitis patients. Increased awareness may enhance the QOL of pregnant patients, prevent OSA, and thereby positively influence the outcome of pregnancy.

BSACI guideline for the diagnosis and management of allergic and non‐allergic rhinitis (Revised Edition 2017; First edition 2007)

“…310 Rhinitis in pregnancy impacts negatively on quality of life, especially during the third trimester and women with pre-existing allergic rhinitis are more severely affected. 314 Informing the patient that pregnancyinduced rhinitis is a self-limiting condition is often reassuring.…”

Update Schwangerschaftsrhinitis

“…Die Lebensqualität der Schwangeren zeigte eine erhebliche Beeinträchtigung durch die Symptomatik, welche im 3. Trimenon als besonders stark empfunden wurde [11].…”

The effects of pregnancy on nasal physiology

“…This result is more compatible with changes in nasal resistance during pregnancy. Gilbey et al conducted a cross‐sectional study with 76 pregnant women to assess rhinosinusitis‐related quality of life via the 22‐item Sino‐Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22). They reported that the mean item score was significantly higher for the third trimester compared to the second trimester.…”

“…Nasal congestion that is not present before pregnancy represents a distinct clinical entity known as “pregnancy‐related rhinitis.” This condition has been defined by Ellegård and Karlson as “nasal congestion present in the last 6 or more weeks of pregnancy without other signs of respiratory tract infection and with no known allergic cause, disappearing completely within 2 weeks after delivery.” In previous studies, this condition was reported to affect up to 20% to 40% of women in all trimesters of pregnancy . It is a common belief of the public and medical doctors that this condition severely reduces quality of life in pregnant women . Nasal obstruction during pregnancy has been suggested to cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).…”

“…Nasal obstruction during pregnancy has been suggested to cause snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). OSA may negatively influence the growth of the fetus and lead to gestational hypertension in pregnant women . In addition, coexisting asthma may also be exacerbated in these patients …”