Improving quality of life of pregnant women with local therapy for gestational rhinitis
Authors:   Central State Medical Academy of Department for Presidential Affairs of the Russian Federation,  Moscow, 121359, Russia, Savlevich E. L. ,   Vladimirsky Moscow Regional Research Clinical Institute, Moscow, 129110, Russia, Zarubina E. N. ,   Central Clinical Hospital of Department for Presidential Affairs of the Russian Federation,  Moscow, 121359, Russia, Markus P. V. ,   Polyclinic N 3 of Department for Presidential Affairs of the Russian Federation,  Moscow, 129090, Russia, Oreshina A. V. ,   Central Clinical Hospital of Department for Presidential Affairs of the Russian Federation,  Moscow, 121359, Russia
Published: November 2023

Gestational rhinitis or pregnancy rhinitis is pregnancy-associated rhinitis characterized mainly by nasal congestion without any other confirmed pathological condition—that is, no evidence of upper respiratory tract infection or confirmed allergic rhinitis, all clinical manifestations of which completely disappear within 2 weeks after delivery. Usually, for symptomatic relief of rhinitis, physical exercises, washing the nose with saline, controlling the body weight of a pregnant woman, raising the bedhead by 30–45 °, normalizing sleep are recommended. Positive effect of intranasal corticosteroids on gestational rhinitis and antihistamines has not been proven, and all of these drugs are not labeled as indications for pregnancy rhinitis treatment. Objective. To explore the possibility of using Olyfrin to improve the quality of life of patients with gestational rhinitis. Materials and methods. From March to November 2022, under otorhinolaryngologists and obstetricians-gynecologists cooperative medical care, there were 61 pregnant women aged 33.59 ± 0.84 years with symptoms of gestational rhinitis that occurred for the first time during pregnancy on the stage of pregnancy of 3 to 28 weeks. They were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (31 people) was treated with Olyfrin 1 dose 3 times a day in each half of the nose, group 2 (30 people), washing the nasal cavity with an isotonic solution of sea water 3 times a day during 28–30 days. To assess the severity of rhinitis symptoms, the validated in Russia SNOT-25 questionnaire (Sino-Nasal Outcome Test) with Houser’s modification was used, which patients filled out at visit 1, after 14–16 days (visit 2), and after 28–30 days (visit 3) while taking medications. Results. The main clinical manifestations of gestational rhinitis that cause a decrease in the quality of life at the time of presentation of women were as follows: difficulty breathing through the nose, dryness in the nose, the need to blow your nose, the formation of crusts in the nose, sneezing, mucous or watery nasal discharge, and mucus postnasal drip. A significant decrease in the total score of the questionnaire was found in group 1 after 2 weeks of using Olyfrin, with the preservation of this trend at visit 3 due to a decrease in the severity of sneezing, serous or mucous nasal discharge, dryness in the nose, crusting in the nose, and difficulty breathing through the nose. Also, the difference in the severity of decreased performance and nighttime awakenings between the groups after 1 month of treatment indicates an improvement in the general well-being of women with the normalization of the nasal mucosa and regression of nasal symptoms. Local application of the drug increases the feeling of comfort in patients while reducing the likelihood of developing systemic side effects, which is very important for pregnant women. Conclusion. The use of Olyfrin containing hyaluronic acid can reduce the severity of symptoms of gestational rhinitis and improve the quality of life of pregnant women.