Yearly incidence of rhinitis, nasal bleeding, and other nasal symptoms in mature women.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate, by a prospective questionnaire study, the incidence of spontaneous nasal pathology in mature women over a 12-month period, in particular nasal bleeding and the relationships of these symptoms with various factors.


METHODS
Participants were drawn from a sample of 12,735 adult French volunteers participating in a study of antioxidant nutrients ("SU.VI.MAX"); 3500 women aged 50-64 years were randomly selected from good responders in the SU.Vl.MAX population. The responses of 2197 women were analysed.


RESULTS
Nearly 70% of subjects reported at least one episode of rhinitis, with a mean (SD) of 1.88 (2.17) episodes per subject. Rhinitis was related to passive exposure to tobacco smoke (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.31, 95% CI 1.05-1.63), menopause (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.16-1.88), and occupational exposure to vapours or dusts (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.01-2.37). Nasal bleeding was reported as traces of blood by 16.5% of subjects, and as epistaxis (significant nasal bleeding) by 7.6%. Both symptoms were related to passive exposure to tobacco smoke (OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.22-2.19; OR 1.56, 95% CI 1.05-2.32, respectively) but not to use of systemic or topical medication.


CONCLUSIONS
A substantial number of mature women experience nasal symptoms during the course of a year. Rhinitis and nasal bleeding were correlated with passive exposure to tobacco smoke.
Institute of Laryngology and Otology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, London, United Kingdom. v.lund@ucl.ac.uk
Valerie J
VJ
Lund
Paul
P
Preziosi
Serge
S
Hercberg
Marc
M
Hamoir
Christian
C
Dubreuil
Jean Jacques
JJ
Pessey
Dominique
D
Stoll
Michel
M
Zanaret
Pierre
P
Gehanno
D004391:Dust; D004844:Epistaxis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008875:Middle Aged; D009668:Nose Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution / Q000009:adverse effects
D004391:Dust; D014028:Tobacco Smoke Pollution