title: Sneezing and runny nose: should allergy testing be routinely performed?
abstract: The need for routine determination of rhinitis subtypes by allergy testing and the relevance between symptoms and allergy were evaluated. A retrospective study at a tertiary hospital, ENT clinic. One hundred and twenty-seven adult patients with sneezing and runny nose for at least 6 months for the last two consecutive years were included. The age range was 16-60. Allergy testing was only positive in 43.4% of the patients. Excluding mixed rhinitis, persistent sneezing and runny nose were mostly related to anatomical deformities, mainly septal deviation followed by vasomotor rhinitis. Persistent sneezing and runny nose may be caused by different etiologies other than allergy. Determination of rhinitis subtypes is important for accurate treatment of patients with these symptoms. Taking appropriate medical history and performing a good physical exam with objective allergy testing are highly recommended.
authors.affiliation: Health Ministry Ankara Education and Training Hospital, ENT Clinic, Camlica Bulvar Sitesi F Blok No: 19 06800, Umitkoy Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ilknur Haberal
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Can
authors.affiliation: Health Ministry Ankara Education and Training Hospital, ENT Clinic, Camlica Bulvar Sitesi F Blok No: 19 06800, Umitkoy Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Islam
authors.affiliation: Health Ministry Ankara Education and Training Hospital, ENT Clinic, Camlica Bulvar Sitesi F Blok No: 19 06800, Umitkoy Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Eren
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Taştan
authors.affiliation: Health Ministry Ankara Education and Training Hospital, ENT Clinic, Camlica Bulvar Sitesi F Blok No: 19 06800, Umitkoy Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Hatice
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.affiliation: Health Ministry Ankara Education and Training Hospital, ENT Clinic, Camlica Bulvar Sitesi F Blok No: 19 06800, Umitkoy Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevim Aslan
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Felek
authors.affiliation: Department of Statistics, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Durdu Sertkaya
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Karasoy
authors.affiliation: Health Ministry Ankara Education and Training Hospital, ENT Clinic, Camlica Bulvar Sitesi F Blok No: 19 06800, Umitkoy Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ethem Erdal
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Samim
keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Nonallergic rhinitis; Runny nose; Sneezing