Characteristics of atrophic rhinitis in Iraqi patients at Thi-Qar Province

Abstract EN

Objectives : A study conducted at Al-Habbobi General Hospital in Annassirriya city–South of Iraq since April 2008 till Aug.

2009 to show the characteristics of Atrophic rhinitis in patients attending the ENT-outpatient clinic .

Method : The common characteristics of primary atrophic rhinitis were studied in 71 Iraqi patients by the maintenance of age and sex data of all patients, the mode of presentation and most common presenting symptom defined, then nasoendoscopic examination done .

Also all patients were subjected to routine blood work-up "Hemoglobin level, ESR, Blood grouping and Rh." Results : From history and demographic data the female to male ratio was found to be 1.08 to 1, Most of them were urban.

The main complaints affecting the life quality were nasal blockade, crustation, anosmia, epistaxis, foul smell and showing that there is a seasonal variation in symptoms.

The results of the blood tests did not elucidate anemia or nutritional deficiency.

Conclusion : Although many factors have been cited previously as the possible cause of atrophic rhinitis, the common characteristics found in our patients indicate that environmental factors and possibly infective and allergic / immunologic disorders .